Calendar

JONATHAN DEFENDED DAVID
LORD’S DAY, DECEMBER 1
1 Samuel 20

2 Timothy 2:22-26

 

“And the servant of the Lord
must not strive;

but be gentle unto all men…”

 

JONATHAN DEFENDED DAVID
 
After conversing with Jonathan, David departed and his place was empty at the dinner table. On the second day, the king inquired of him. Jonathan told him that David had sought leave to go to Bethlehem. At this answer, the king turned his wrath upon Jonathan saying, “Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die” (1 Sam 20:30-31).
 
Jonathan then rose to the defense of his friend and asked his father why David had to die when he had done nothing to deserve that sentence. Saul was angry with his son’s answer. In his rage, he took a javelin to smite Jonathan. It was then that Jonathan knew his father was determined to slay David. Jonathan was also angry with his father, and did not eat for the shame of what his father had done. He must have passed that night without sleep. Jonathan’s desire was for the welfare of David.
 
In the morning, Jonathan was in the field to see David at the appointed time. He had a little lad with him. He put into action what they had agreed in the coded message. The lad collected the arrows as he was told, but did not know anything about the communication between David and Jonathan. Jonathan then sent the lad back to the city. This was the scene of what would be the last meeting between Jonathan and David: “And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded” (1 Sam 20:41). Jonathan wished David peace and affirmed that their covenant would remain intact. The Lord was their witness. The great friends then parted.
 
The Lord sustained David and saved him from many dangers.
 
THOUGHT: The two godly friends experienced how dependable the Lord is.
PRAYER: Father, may I always look to Thee as my refuge and shelter in the storms of my life.

Search