“Blood Brothers"

 “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” (1 Samuel 20:1)

Jonathan and David

We know a lot about the relationship of David and Jonathan.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1)

What David had done is fighting Goliath was the same as what Jonathan had done when he slew the Philistines. Both Jonathan and David had gone to fight without fear, because they knew God would take care of them. It is a message to us to have no fear, God is with you.

Does Saul Wish to Kill Me?

David has already confirmed that Saul wishes to do David harm. What he needs to know is if this is true. His best choice is to let Jonathan find out. David and Jonathan enter into a pact. Jonathan tells David that if Saul intends to kill David he will send him a message.

“19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.” (1 Samuel 20:19-22)

Saul Intends to Kill Jonathan

Not only is David seeking to understand Saul’s plan’s, so is Jonathan. Jonathan knows his father is a fear filled man, but he holds out hope that Saul will have a change of heart. Over the next three days Saul will have a feast of meat with all his important people around him.

On the first day Saul does not see David at dinner.

“Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.” (1 Samuel 20:26)

Saul wants the thought of David out of his mind, but God keeps David in Saul’s mind. Saul is suspicious of everything, because he knows God is not with him anymore.

On the second day Saul does not see David at dinner.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?” (1 Samuel 20:27)

Jonathan lies to Saul.

“28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.” (1 Samuel 20:28-29)

Saul channels his anger of David towards his son Jonathan.

“And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.” (1 Samuel 20:33)

Message Received

Jonathan is sure that his father not only wants to kill David, but after throwing a spear at Jonathan, he is sure that Saul will kill anyone that crosses him.

Jonathan goes into the field where David is hiding and fires three arrows beyond the lad, and has him retrieve them.

Jonathan and David weep at the dangers both of them face.

“And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.” (1 Samuel 20:42)

Stay Tuned…