Jonathan Makes a Decision about His Family and His Kingdom
[30] Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen 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 shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” [32] Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” [33] But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. (ESV) 1 Samuel 20:30–33
[41] And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. [42] Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. (ESV) 1 Samuel 20:41–42
For Saul, David is a threat to his kingdom. Part of having a kingdom is that you will rule and be sovereign over all the land and then your children will rule in your place after you’re dead. Saul wants good for his son, but it’s the same kind of self-serving good that he has always been seeking. Jonathan put Saul to a test to see if what David said was really true. For some reason, as close as David and Jonathan were, Jonathan still wasn’t convinced that Saul wanted to kill David.
Jonathan was about 11 years older than David. Picture an 18-year-old senior at Harrison and a 29-year-old married guy with a toddler and a wife being best friends. Jonathan is obviously in a position of power as the king’s son, and he takes David under his wing because he can tell what potential he has. This is a close friendship. This is Obi-Wan and Anakin, or Daniel and Mr. Miagi, or Emmet Brown and Marty McFly. Imagine the pain, then, when Jonathan comprehends that his dad, who he also really loves, wants to kill David.
At this point, Jonathan has a profound choice. He can side with his dad and further the kingdom that will eventually become his own, or he can give up his own kingdom for the sake of God’s plan. Jonathan actually makes David swear an oath to take care of his (Jonathan’s) children when “God has vengeance on David’s enemies,” because he knows that God is going to install David as king someday. Jonathan sides with David and sends him away.
It says that David cried harder than Jonathan. This could be because he was sad about being forced away but happy with the grace he was shown all at the same time. David pleaded with Jonathan earlier to just kill him if he was going to betray him to his father. David wasn’t sure which side Jonathan was going to pick. David’s life is spared here, by Jonathan’s own sacrifice, and David is grateful for that.
God rules over our circumstances no matter how complex. Saul didn’t have to be accused; he showed his true-self worse than any accusation David would have brought. The fruit of David’s life impressed Jonathan, but that wasn’t David’s goal. David lived a life seeking after the Lord and the evidence that showed from that made Jonathan want to be friends with such righteousness in action. David didn’t know that this deep friendship would eventually save his life. He was just a good friend.
Unexpected things happen. It is almost expected that they will. But life in Christ builds up life around us to let God work even more in the unexpected events than the daily predictability.
You can get the Daily Bible Readings to your inbox via email every day by subscribing here. Join the discussion online on Facebook or Twitter.