38 Jonathan’s Loyalty to David = Part 3

The final section of First Samuel 20 presents us with a wonderful example of a friendship between to faithful believers. The loyalty Jonathan and David displayed toward one another, was due to their faithful walk with the Lord.

Both Jonathan an David exemplified the essence of true friendship, openness and trust.

Jonathan had already executed the first part of his plan to determine whether his father King Saul truly desired to have his best friend David executed.

The results of the testing of Saul determined that he indeed desired that David be killed, as a matter of fact, in his anger that night Saul attempted to kill Jonathan:

1 Samuel 20:33-34

1 Jonathan’s Arrows

The second part of Jonathan’s plan, was to signal to David (who would be hiding in a nearby cave) whether it would be safe for him to return, or if he would spend possibly many years in exile and on the run.

The plan was for Jonathan to go out into the field near David’s hiding place. He would act as though he was simply practicing archery. He’d have a young boy with him to retrieve the arrows he shot. If Jonathan shot the arrow a great distance, and yelled to the lad that the arrow was far off, then David would know that it would be unsafe for his return. If on the other hand, he were to shoot the arrow at a nearer distance, it would mean that it would be safe for David to return to Saul’s court. However, the former would be the result:

1 Samuel 20:35-36

It would have been a difficult and emotional day for Jonathan, as he would warn his friend that it would be unsafe for him to remain in the king’s court or military.

The young boy who was unaware of any of the issues weighing upon Jonathan, was undoubtedly greatly excited that he would be assisting the prince that day.

In the same way, whether in a family, church, or another area of life. They may divergent emotions taking place at the same time. And therefore, as believers we must be sensitive to what might be taking place in the lives of others at any given time.

While it’s impossible for any of us to have such wide-spread love for others, it’s the Lord who enables us to do so:

Romans 5:5

In the passage we’re examining, Jonathan shot the area well-beyond the youth, thus causing him to run to retrieve it. Jonathan was just signaling to David, that he must flee from Saul.

2 The Signal of the Arrow

Jonathan then yelled to the lad, that he should “make haste” and run a distance “beyond” him to retrieve the arrow. While those were indeed instructions for the youngster, more importantly, they were instructions for David, so that he might prepare to depart the area without delay:

1 Samuel 20:37b-38a

Jonathan was indeed saddened because he was seeing his dear friend being exiled for nothing he had done. But the sadness also stemmed from the fact that everything had taken place due to the action of Saul.

While initially Jonathan had hesitated believing that his father desired to do David any harm, he now knew beyond and doubt that Saul was clearly at fault.

Jonathan then gave the young lad final instructions, telling him to gather all the arrows and then to take them back into the city. Jonathan had been very careful to this point, and he must continue that carefulness, since he didn’t want anyone to know that he was warning David.

However, Jonathan desired to spend a final few moments with David. Therefore, once the young boy left the area, David came out from his hiding place:

3 Friendship in the Lord

1 Samuel 20:41-42

First, David bowed with his face to the ground , showing that he understood he would be leaving behind everything he knew and love, his wife and family, as well as the nation he had recently been serving as a commander in Saul’s army.

Them David and Jonathan acknowledged the fact that they might never see one another again.

They kissed one another, showing the great love they shared, as men who both loved and followed the Lord, thus portraying the true fellowship they enjoyed:

Psalm 133:1

Jonathan showed his great spiritual awareness, as he committed David to the Lord:

1 Samuel 20:42a

Once more, Jonathan addressed the covenant between he and David, but again showed that the Lord was the Mediator of that covenant, and therefore was fully invested in it.

Jonathan spoke of how that covenant was not only for he and David, but for their descendants as well, thus showing the deep and lasting fellowship between the two men.