‏ 1 Samuel 20

David Consults Jonathan

This section describes how David, in great danger from Saul, turns to his close friend Jonathan for advice and help. David explains his situation and his fear for his life. Jonathan, loyal and loving, offers to help David in any way he can. Together, they make a plan to find out whether Saul truly intends to kill David. Their trust, honesty, and care for each other are clear, showing a deep and faithful friendship.

v. 1: David escaped from Naioth while Saul was still unable to move because of God’s power. David met Jonathan and explained his troubles. He asked Jonathan, What have I done? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life? . David wanted to know if Jonathan had heard of any real reason why Saul wanted to kill him, or if he had done something wrong.

v. 2: Jonathan could not believe that his father Saul wanted to kill David. He said, It is not so; you shall not die . Jonathan thought his father would have told him such a serious plan, and tried to defend Saul out of respect as a son. He hoped the best about his father, as love is not quick to think evil (1 Corinthians 13:5 ^a).

v. 3: David insisted that Saul really wished to kill him, saying, There is but a step between me and death . He explained that Saul did not tell Jonathan about this plan because Saul knew Jonathan’s friendship with David. David swore this was true, showing how serious the danger was.

v. 4: Jonathan promised to help David with anything he needed. He said, Whatever you desire, I will do for you . Jonathan trusted David and was willing to risk his own safety to help his friend. This is a real example of loyal friendship.

v. 5: David asked Jonathan to test Saul’s intentions. He planned not to attend the new moon feast with the king, which was a special family sacrifice and celebration. David said that if Saul missed him but accepted the excuse for his absence, then it would mean Saul did not want to harm him. But if Saul became angry, it would prove that he wanted to kill David .

v. 6: The excuse David wanted Jonathan to give was that David had gone to Bethlehem, his hometown, because his brother had invited him for the family’s yearly sacrifice . This shows that David’s family was religious and thankful to God, as they celebrated together with sacrifices and prayers.

v. 7: David told Jonathan that if Saul accepted the excuse, it would mean he was safe. If Saul became angry, it would mean Saul really wanted to hurt David . This plan would clearly show what Saul’s intentions were.

v. 8: David reminded Jonathan of the covenant of friendship between them. He said, If there is any guilt in me, kill me yourself . David did not want Jonathan to defend him if he had done anything wrong. Their friendship was honest, and David cared about doing what was right above all else.

Jonathan's Covenant with David

This section highlights the deep friendship and loyalty between Jonathan and David. Jonathan reassures David of his support and promises to protect him from Saul’s plans. They renew their covenant of friendship, extending it to their descendants. Jonathan also devises a plan to secretly inform David of Saul’s intentions. Their bond is built on trust, love, and faith in God.

v. 9: Jonathan assured David of his loyalty, saying, Far be it from you to think I would harm you or betray you to my father (1 Samuel 20:9 ^b). Jonathan wanted David to trust him completely. To discuss the matter further, he invited David to meet him in the field (1 Samuel 20:11 ^c), not for a fight, but to strengthen their friendship and make plans.

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v. 12–13: Jonathan promised to find out Saul’s true intentions and inform David. He said, If my father intends good for you, I will tell you. But if he plans evil, I will send you away so you can be safe (1 Samuel 20:12–13 ^d). Jonathan called on God as a witness to his promise and prayed that the Lord would be with David, just as He had been with Saul in the past.

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v. 14–16: Jonathan asked David to show kindness to his family in the future, even after Jonathan’s death. He said, Do not cut off your kindness from my house forever (1 Samuel 20:15 ^e). Jonathan believed David would one day become king and wanted to ensure his descendants would be treated kindly. They made a covenant between their families, binding their friendship for generations (1 Samuel 20:16 ^f).

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v. 17: Jonathan’s love for David was so strong that he made David swear again to uphold their covenant. Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul . Despite David’s troubles and Saul’s hatred, Jonathan’s affection for David never wavered.

v. 18–22: Jonathan and David agreed on a secret method of communication. David would hide during the new moon feast, and Jonathan would observe Saul’s reaction to his absence. On the third day, Jonathan would go to a field and shoot arrows as a signal. If he told his servant the arrows were closer, it meant David was safe. If he said the arrows were farther, it meant David was in danger and should flee (1 Samuel 20:18–22 ^g). This plan ensured David’s safety without raising suspicion.

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Jonathan Excuses David to Saul

This section shows how Jonathan tries to protect David at the new moon feast with Saul. Jonathan uses the test he and David agreed on to see how Saul feels about David. When Saul shows his true anger, Jonathan sees just how dangerous Saul’s hatred is. This experience is hard for Jonathan, but it proves David was right to be careful.

v. 24–26: David stayed away from the feast, hiding as planned. On the first day, Saul saw David’s seat was empty, but said nothing. He thought maybe David was not clean according to the law and could not take part in the holy meal (1 Samuel 20:25–26 ^h). Saul knew David respected God’s law, so he did not worry at first.

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v. 27: On the second day, Saul asked Jonathan, Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal? . Saul did not call David by name but rather by his father’s name, showing his dislike. Saul was upset because he missed his chance to harm David.

v. 28–29: Jonathan explained that David had asked permission to go to Bethlehem for a family sacrifice. He told Saul that David’s older brother had invited him, and that David had only left after getting Jonathan’s approval (1 Samuel 20:28–29 ⁱ). Jonathan tried to show that David was respectful and had done nothing wrong.

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v. 30–31: Saul became very angry at Jonathan. He insulted him and accused him of betraying the family by being friends with David. Saul said, As long as the son of Jesse lives, you will not be established in your kingdom (1 Samuel 20:30–31 ^j). Saul demanded that Jonathan bring David to be killed.

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v. 32: Jonathan bravely answered his father, Why should David be put to death? What has he done? . Jonathan was willing to defend David, even though it made Saul even angrier.

v. 33: Saul was so furious that he threw his javelin at Jonathan to kill him . Now Jonathan saw for himself that his father was truly determined to kill David.

v. 34: Jonathan was deeply upset by what his father had done. He left the table in grief, refusing to eat because of Saul’s shameful behavior and his own sadness for David . The feast ended with sorrow instead of joy, proving that cruelty and anger bring trouble to everyone.

David Informed of His Danger

This section tells how Jonathan keeps his promise to warn David about Saul’s deadly intentions. Jonathan secretly signals David using the plan they made, showing real loyalty and friendship. Their goodbye is full of sadness because they do not know if they will ever see each other again. Still, their trust in God’s covenant gives them hope.

v. 35–36: Jonathan went to the field at the agreed time and place, knowing David was hiding nearby. He took a young servant with him and shot arrows as a signal (1 Samuel 20:35–36 ^k). When Jonathan shot an arrow beyond the servant, it was the sign to David that he was in danger.

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v. 37–39: Jonathan called out, Is not the arrow beyond you? (1 Samuel 20:37 ^l). The servant did not understand the real message, but David did. Jonathan sent the servant back to the city, making sure no one else would see David (1 Samuel 20:38–39 ^m).

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v. 40–41: When the servant was gone, David came out of hiding. He bowed to Jonathan three times, showing respect and thankfulness. Then, they hugged and wept together, both very sad to part. David cried even more, because he was leaving everything behind, while Jonathan could go home (1 Samuel 20:41 ⁿ).

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v. 42: Before they separated, Jonathan reminded David of the covenant of friendship between them and their families. He said, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever (1 Samuel 20:42 ^o). Even though they had to say goodbye, God’s promise would always keep them united in spirit.