Introduction
The history of David is described in detail in these chapters. This is because the Holy Spirit loves him. We love him too and are interested in everything he experiences. It is described vividly. In many details we find what the Lord Jesus experienced. At first David is not yet a fugitive, but he will be in the next chapters. He becomes a fugitive because he refuses to anticipate God’s time and take the law into his own hands. Saul remains for him “the anointed of the LORD”, against whom he will not take up arms as long as he remains this.
In this chapter in David we see a child of God who is looking for the will of God. This is why the chapter is that long. It describes how David resists to become a fugitive. This is not because he does not want to, although it does not attract him, but out of dedication to his duty as a servant of Saul. He does not have the right to leave, to flee. He wants to stay with Saul to the fullest to serve him, and was prepared to undergo anything to that end, not to be an unfaithful slave. Nabal accuses him of this later (1Sam 25:10). David only flees when he has no other possibility.
This chapter is also a farewell of two friends who love each other very. This makes the departure for David so painful and unattractive.
1 - 3 David Knows That Saul Wants to Kill Him
1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?” 2 He said to him, “Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. So why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!” 3 Yet David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’ But truly as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death.”
David flees to his friend Jonathan and pours out his heart before him. He wonders in despair what he did that his father pursues him that much. Jonathan wants to reassure David. He does not believe his father does. Otherwise he would know. David is not convinced. He knows that Saul will not tell his son everything, because Saul knows well that his son is a friend of David. David can't help but to see Saul’s desire to get rid of him. He has experienced this several times. He has already escaped Saul’s murderousness several times, but how long will it take before he falls into Saul’s hands? His life is hanging by a thread.
4 - 8 David Proposes a Test
4 Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” 5 So David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening. 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked [leave] of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’ 7 If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant [will be] safe; but if he is very angry, know that he has decided on evil. 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?”
Jonathan is a real friend. He wants to help David. He asks what he can do for him and promises that he will do what David asks. He sets no conditions because he knows what David will desire is only good. This is the expression of a heart that loves the other. It is the question and the mind of the believer who loves the Lord Jesus.
David only wants to know what Saul has in mind for him. That is why he suggests a plan to test Saul’s mindset. This plan will also make it clear to Jonathan what his father wants. That goal may be even more important than in gaining certainty himself.
Is this plan misleading, a lie? It is like what Moses says to Pharaoh when he proposes to him to let Israel go a three-day trip far into the wilderness to celebrate a feast there for the LORD. That the ultimate goal is to deliver the people and make them live in Canaan, Moses does not tell. The question Moses asks is the question of a servant for a short leave of absence, which puts Pharaoh’s mindset to the test. It is not about insincerity, but about a test. It is the same with David.
All who are in a place of submission can learn from David. He takes the place of servant toward Jonathan and calls himself so. Jonathan is the son of his lord. He also gives him the right to kill him if there is sin in him, as Saul claims.
9 - 15 How Jonathan Will Inform David
9 Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 11 Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field. 12 Then Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, [be witness]! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, [or] the third day, behold, if there is good [feeling] toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you? 13 If it please my father [to do] you harm, may the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father. 14 If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the LORD, that I may not die? 15 You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
Jonathan resolutely rejects David’s thought of killing him, for he supposes no evil in David. Furthermore, he will certainly assert his friendship and inform him if he notices his father wants to bring evil upon him. David asks from whom he will hear the true mindset of Saul.
Jonathan does not answer directly but suggests to go out into the field to continue talking. He takes the initiative and David follows. David presents himself royally by being subject to the ruling authority. He does not stand on his rights as the anointed king. He knows what he will become, but does not yet claim what the LORD has not yet given him. He must first learn to obey as a servant before he can rule as king.
Jonathan solemnly promises by the LORD that he will certainly let David know how his father reacts. He will also make sure that nothing will happen to David. He knows that David is the anointed. He wishes the LORD may be with him, as He has been with his father. He submits to the future king after he has let him go as crown prince.
Finally, he asks David for his favor for himself and his family. Here he has a prophetic view of the future. For himself he asks to stay alive when David has become king. He will acknowledge in it the mercy of the LORD. For his house he asks for the mercy of David. As for David, Jonathan knows that the LORD will cut off all his enemies.
16 - 17 The Covenant
16 So Jonathan made a [covenant] with the house of David, [saying], “May the LORD require [it] at the hands of David’s enemies.” 17 Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.
Their love is emphasized again. Jonathan not only makes a covenant with David, but also with the house of David. He expects the offspring of David to have the same mercy as David himself. David also acts accordingly later (2Sam 9:3,6-7). David’s enemies, who might also hurt his children, he entrusts to the LORD’s dealings.
The reason Jonathan desires their friendship to pass on to his descendants is because of his love for David. He loves David as he loves his own life, and he desires David to answer that love with an oath he loves Jonathan.
18 - 23 The Sign With a Message
18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty. 19 When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain by the stone Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target. 21 And behold, I will send the lad, [saying], ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives. 22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23 As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”
After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.
It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.
From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.
24 - 34 Saul Tries to Kill Jonathan
24 So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. 25 The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, “It is an accident, he is not clean, surely [he is] not clean.” 27 It came about the next day, the second [day] of the new moon, that David’s place was empty; so Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?” 28 Jonathan then answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me [to go] to Bethlehem, 29 for he said, ‘Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.” 30 Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.” 32 But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. 34 Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.
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).
35 - 40 The Message via the Sign
35 Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad [was] with him. 36 He said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.” As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him. 37 When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan called after the lad, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!” And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39 But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter. 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring [them] to the city.”
As agreed, Jonathan goes into the field to report to David about his father’s attitude toward him. He sends the lad in the direction to which he will shoot the arrow and urges him to hurry. The lad obeys immediately. As he quickly runs away, Jonathan shoots an arrow over him and calls after the lad that the arrow is beyond him. The message is clear to David. The message is not only clear, but also urgent. There is urgency. This is why Jonathan urges the lad to speed up.
Jonathan shot the arrow far away as a sign that Saul’s hatred goes very far. David must know that he is no longer certain of his life. The arrow is a clear message. It comes in reality from the hand of the LORD (verse 22).
When the lad has completed his mission, Jonathan gives him his weapons and sends him back to town. The lad is no longer needed. He has, without being aware of it, performed an important task. By faithfully following the orders of Jonathan, he has contributed to the protection of David. In this way there will have been more actions by people who have faithfully done what they had to do, without being aware that they have contributed to protecting God’s children who were in danger.
41 - 42 Farewell
41 When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David [wept] the more. 42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.
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.