1Sa 20:41 | KingComments | STEP | When the lad is gone, David appears. He is still the servant toward the crown prince, with whom he also has a close friendship, and bows down deeply before him. It is a heart-moving encounter because they know that it will be the last time they see each other. That they meet once again ( ) is not a restoration of the close contact they have had so far. They say goodbye to each other, and each go their own way. Jonathan gave everything to David. He stood up for him against his father. He kissed him. However, he did not follow him in the way of his rejection. They separate and will only find each other again in their intimate connection on the other side of death. David goes to face suffering and from there to the throne. Jonathan does not go with him in suffering and is not glorified with him. He returns to the city and will fall with his father on Mountain Gilboa. Whatever we think of Jonathan, he did not go with David the way of oppression and defamation. He is not mentioned among the heroes of David who followed him in suffering and are glorified with him in his reign. However, it is also good to remember, no matter what we think of Jonathan, that a comparison between the men who are with David and Jonathan is not entirely valid. Jonathan had a different position. By the way, who has shown a dedication and love for David like him? David never asked him to follow him. He may in some way be compared to the man who casts out demons, of whom John tells the Lord that they – he and the other disciples – have forbidden him to do so because he does not follow them. But the Lord does speak right of the man and reprimands His disciples ( ). In any case Jonathan will certainly not have helped his father in his hunt for David.

‏ 1 Samuel 20:41

Farewell

When the lad is gone, David appears. He is still the servant toward the crown prince, with whom he also has a close friendship, and bows down deeply before him. It is a heart-moving encounter because they know that it will be the last time they see each other. That they meet once again (1Sam 23:16) is not a restoration of the close contact they have had so far. They say goodbye to each other, and each go their own way.

Jonathan gave everything to David. He stood up for him against his father. He kissed him. However, he did not follow him in the way of his rejection. They separate and will only find each other again in their intimate connection on the other side of death. David goes to face suffering and from there to the throne. Jonathan does not go with him in suffering and is not glorified with him. He returns to the city and will fall with his father on Mountain Gilboa.

Whatever we think of Jonathan, he did not go with David the way of oppression and defamation. He is not mentioned among the heroes of David who followed him in suffering and are glorified with him in his reign.

However, it is also good to remember, no matter what we think of Jonathan, that a comparison between the men who are with David and Jonathan is not entirely valid. Jonathan had a different position. By the way, who has shown a dedication and love for David like him? David never asked him to follow him.

He may in some way be compared to the man who casts out demons, of whom John tells the Lord that they – he and the other disciples – have forbidden him to do so because he does not follow them. But the Lord does speak right of the man and reprimands His disciples (Lk 9:49-50). In any case Jonathan will certainly not have helped his father in his hunt for David.