1Sa 20:27 | KingComments | STEP | David hides in the field, waiting for the message Jonathan will bring. When it is the new moon, Saul sits down at his usual place, near the wall. This is a tactical place because it is not possible to attack him in the back. Maybe it says something of his mistrust in those who surround him. Someone who is jealous does not trust anyone. The taking of the places is described vividly. When Saul sits down, Jonathan stands up out of respect. Abner, the army superior of Saul, sits next to Saul. Saul only pays attention to the place of David which remains empty. We hear what he thinks. It typifies Saul. He can only think in terms of clean and unclean. He is like the Pharisee who only pays attention to the appearance. At the same time, it also says something about David. Saul knows him as one who scrupulously observes the law and would rather stay away from a holy feast than to participate in it in uncleanness. With Christians we often see the opposite. On the one hand they easily stay away from their own meetings ( ) and on the other hand they lightly partake of the holy Supper of the Lord ( ). On the second day Saul wants to know why David did not come and asks. He asks his question not in general, but purposefully to David’s friend, his son Jonathan. He is convinced that Jonathan knows where David is. When Jonathan gives the agreed statement, Saul anger burns against Jonathan. He pours all his wrath upon him. By this Jonathan experiences what it means to be a friend of David. It is not possible to stand on David’s side without getting Saul’s anger upon oneself. This is also the case for the Christian who clearly chooses for Christ. Saul points out to Jonathan that he plays with his own position. He will never be king as long as David lives. Then he orders Jonathan to get David to kill him. Jonathan speaks up for David again and asks his father what the reason is for killing David. Then comes the clear proof of his father’s hatred of David. Saul hurls his spear at his own son to kill him. Here Jonathan shares in the fate of David, who is so much hated by Saul that he wants to kill him. The spear that has been hurled several times at David is now thrown at his friend, even if it is his own son. In the same way, a choice for the Lord Jesus brings division into families. Family members hand over a family member to enemies ( ).

‏ 1 Samuel 20:27

Saul Tries to Kill Jonathan

David hides in the field, waiting for the message Jonathan will bring. When it is the new moon, Saul sits down at his usual place, near the wall. This is a tactical place because it is not possible to attack him in the back. Maybe it says something of his mistrust in those who surround him. Someone who is jealous does not trust anyone.

The taking of the places is described vividly. When Saul sits down, Jonathan stands up out of respect. Abner, the army superior of Saul, sits next to Saul. Saul only pays attention to the place of David which remains empty. We hear what he thinks. It typifies Saul. He can only think in terms of clean and unclean. He is like the Pharisee who only pays attention to the appearance.

At the same time, it also says something about David. Saul knows him as one who scrupulously observes the law and would rather stay away from a holy feast than to participate in it in uncleanness. With Christians we often see the opposite. On the one hand they easily stay away from their own meetings (Heb 10:25) and on the other hand they lightly partake of the holy Supper of the Lord (1Cor 11:27-30).

On the second day Saul wants to know why David did not come and asks. He asks his question not in general, but purposefully to David’s friend, his son Jonathan. He is convinced that Jonathan knows where David is. When Jonathan gives the agreed statement, Saul anger burns against Jonathan. He pours all his wrath upon him. By this Jonathan experiences what it means to be a friend of David. It is not possible to stand on David’s side without getting Saul’s anger upon oneself. This is also the case for the Christian who clearly chooses for Christ.

Saul points out to Jonathan that he plays with his own position. He will never be king as long as David lives. Then he orders Jonathan to get David to kill him. Jonathan speaks up for David again and asks his father what the reason is for killing David. Then comes the clear proof of his father’s hatred of David. Saul hurls his spear at his own son to kill him.

Here Jonathan shares in the fate of David, who is so much hated by Saul that he wants to kill him. The spear that has been hurled several times at David is now thrown at his friend, even if it is his own son. In the same way, a choice for the Lord Jesus brings division into families. Family members hand over a family member to enemies (Lk 21:16-17).