Lessons of loyalty — I Sam 20:1-18

OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS OF LOYALTY:
Jonathan to David (friend to friend) — I Sam 20:1-18¹

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2017

Nothing forges loyalty between two friends more than sharing common experiences, events both can look back on later and say, "We did that."

Jim and Jeff were two friends who got a pilot to fly them into the far north for elk hunting. They were quite successful in their venture, and bagged six big bull elk. The pilot came back as arranged to pick them up. They started loading their gear into the plane, including the six elk. But the pilot objected, saying, "The plane can take out only four of your elk; you will have to leave two behind." They argued with him indicating that the year before they had shot six and that pilot had allowed them to put all aboard, and the plane was just the same model and capacity as this. Reluctantly the pilot finally permitted them to put all six aboard. But when they attempted to take off and leave the valley where they were, the little plane could not make it, and they crashed in the wilderness. Climbing out of the wreckage, Jim said to Jeff, "Do you know where we are? "I think so," his friend replied. "This is the same place where the plane crashed last year."

Nothing forges loyalty between two friends more than sharing common experiences. David and Jonathan were also friends, and they had common experiences, like the need to deal with King Saul. In this sermon series entitled Old Testament Lessons of Loyalty, we come to the loyalty of two friends to each other as they face the machinations of Israel's first monarch.

 

After David's stunning victory against Goliath and his hero's welcome at home, King Saul is jealous of the boy's popularity and attempts to eliminate him.² Saul views David as a political rival, a potential claimant to the throne, despite David's protestation that he has no such aspiration. Complicating matters for Saul is the friendship that has developed between Jonathan, the king's son, heir to the throne, and David. Jonathan refuses to believe that his father would harm David despite indications of the king's growing animus toward the boy.³ David has already escaped Saul's deadly machinations several times, so when Jonathan comes to him and assures David that the king does not wish to harm him, David is suspicious of the king's true agenda.

 

I. Saul is hostile toward David and wants to harm him (I Sam 20:1-4).

I Sam 20:1 David...went to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" 2 "Never!" Jonathan replied. "You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without confiding in me. Why would he hide this from me? It's not so!" 3 But David took an oath and said, "Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death." 4 Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."

A. Jonathan doubts the king's evil intentions (v. 2).

The author attributes Saul's animosity to "an evil spirit from the Lord" (19:9). How can God use such a means? ...The answer lies in understanding the sequence of events. God did not precipitate Saul's spiritual decline. That was a decision Saul made when he twice chose to disobey Samuel, God's representative.

• Before Israelite troops fought the Philistines, Saul sacrificed a burnt offering, which only a prophet or priest could do. Samuel rebuked him: "Now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." (1 Sam 13:9b, 14)
• After Israelite troops fought (and defeated) the Amalekites, Saul took the spoils of war, contrary to the prophet's instruction. Again Samuel rebuked him: "Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." (1 Sam 15:23)

When Saul's disposition toward God changed, God's disposition toward Saul changed: The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him (1 Sam 16:14). Because Saul displayed a lack of devotion to God, God chose another: The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7b-c).

B. David affirms the king's evil intentions (v. 3).

The king's son is in denial about his father's deadly plans for David, which Jonathan thinks is less than an "inkling" (v. 9). How can David convince his friend, who refuses to recognize his father's extreme jealousy? The spear toss was an obvious accident. The soldiers who came to David's home must have been looking for someone else, a terrorist or a spy. There are no tapes of Saul's conversation, no incriminating film footage of the various attempts on David's life. Jonathan refuses to believe that his father would do such a thing:

"Never!" Jonathan said. "You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without confiding in me. Why would he hide this from me? It's not so!" (1 Sam 20:2)

How can David convince him? In the absence of corroborating evidence, the fugitive does the next best thing.

• David swears an oath.⁴

Application: What is unusual about taking an oath? For most people today swearing an oath is not a big deal. In fact, they use oaths frequently. Whenever people utter the words "I promise," they are making an oath. That is just a manner of speaking, a throw-away line in casual conversation. They only signify a person's intention at the moment not any deep seated and long-standing conviction.... But "I promise" is not a throw-away line. Words matter, and those words especially matter, even if people tend to dismiss them as superfluous. There are actually very few occasions that warrant an oath:

• A vow to military service,
• A pledge upon entering political office,
• A promise of fidelity to one's spouse at a wedding ceremony,
• An assurance of veracity in court testimony (often denuded by omission of the phrase "so help me God").

An oath should be a rare event, because God holds people responsible for their words even if they try to circumvent that accountability as some did in Jesus' day, which prompted his remark:⁵

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'⁶ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matt 5:33-37)

Evidently, David thought his situation warranted an oath.

 

II. David is suspicious of Saul and wants to expose him (I Sam 20:5-11).

1 Sam 20:5 David said, "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival, and I am supposed to dine with the king; but let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow.⁷ 6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.' 7 If he says, 'Very well,' then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me. 8 As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the LORD. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?" 9 "Never!" Jonathan said. "If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?" 10 David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?" 11 "Come," Jonathan said, "let's go out into the field." So they went there together.

David is committed to this plan, and...

A. He will reveal the king's intention (vv. 5-7).

It is a bold plan but not without risk, for if Saul suspects deception, as he will (v. 30), both David and Jonathan will be guilty of lying to the king. Nevertheless, Jonathan is 'all in,' as is David, and...

B. He will accept the son's determination (vv. 8-10).

...in this matter. David trusts that Jonathan, equipped with the facts, will come to the right conclusion about his father.

 

Application: There is enough dishonesty in this story for everyone to have a part:

• Saul lies to Jonathan about his intentions for David.

"As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death." (1 Sam 19:6)

• Michal lies to Saul about David's location.

Saul sent men to David's house...to kill him.... But Michal, David's wife, warned him.... Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. [Later] Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" (1 Sam 19:11, 13, 17)

• David lies to Saul about his mealtime activity (Jonathan approves).

Tell him, 'David...asked.. permission to [go] to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.' (1 Sam 20:6)

In most cases, God prohibits lying. He says quite clearly: Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. (Lev 19:11) Yet in some cases, God permits lying. How can one tell the difference between a situation God condemns and the exception, a situation He commends? As with any decision that appears morally ambiguous, a person truly devoted to God will recognize when lying is definitely inappropriate (most cases) and when lying may be appropriate (few cases). He will identify the correct choice, because his highest priority is to please God and not himself.

 

III. Jonathan is sympathetic toward David and wants to help him (I Sam 20:12-18).

I Sam 20:12 Jonathan said to David: "By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? 13 But if my father is inclined to harm you, may the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away safely. May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father. 14 But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, 15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth." 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." 17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. 18 Then Jonathan said to David: "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty."

Jonathan is confident that David will be king, even if his father is not and actively works against it. To insure his own safety when that change of power happens, he makes a pact with David, which he secures with an oath.⁸

 

A covenant is a formal contract between two parties (as David and Jonathan make). An oath is a promise by one party (in this case David) to do something. An oath may strengthen a covenant by incurring greater obligation on one or both parties, but it is not an obligatory component of a covenant and can, in fact, stand alone as a legal contract. That a covenant and an oath appear together here underscores the binding nature of the agreement between these men.⁹

 

In the course of the meal, Jonathan will attempt to ascertain if the king has some hidden agenda for David.

A. He will expose Saul's intentions (vv. 12-13).

Jonathan is not yet aware of his father's motives, although he is aware of an earlier attempt on David's life.¹⁰ Still, the son is not ready to admit that Saul wants to kill David. Jonathan knows, however, that the future of the kingdom is uncertain, and that when his father is off the throne his own life as a potential claimant will be in danger.¹¹ So, it would be prudent to prepare for that possibility now.

B. He will enlist David's protection (vv. 14-15).

Jonathan makes a formal agreement with David, and he seals it with a pledge of loyalty.

• Jonathan swears an oath (v. 16).

Application: An oath is a promise and, like it or not, a promise is a commitment you make before God, regardless of who else may be listening. Any promise you make before God, He will hold you accountable to keep. Therefore, consider your words carefully before you speak because, as God always keeps His word, so He expects you to keep your word.¹²

If a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything—like people often do with the phrase "I promise—in any matter one might carelessly swear about... he will be guilty [if he does not keep his word] (Lev 5:4).

—because—

When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said (Num 30:2).

And just as you must not swear hasty vows, so you should not speak hasty words.¹³

 

As the sages advise...

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Prov 10:19).

—and—

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity (Prov 21:23).

You are responsible for what you say but, if you are careful, you will not be hostage to what you say. That is, you will not find yourself obligated for, what in hindsight, were unwise or untenable commitments.

 

As the meal progresses, Saul inquires about David's absence. In the process...

 

IV. Saul confirms hostility toward David and attacks his son (I Sam 20:28-34).

1 Sam 20:28 Jonathan answered, "David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, 'Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table."

As they agreed...

A. Jonathan relays the message to the king (vv. 28-29)

Saul does not take the explanation about David's absence well.

B. Jonathan evokes the wrath from the king (vv. 30-3 1).

1 Sam 20:30 Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? 31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die!"

The truth comes out: The King is chiefly concerned about his legacy. Saul thinks he can overrule the prophet's prediction that his dynasty will end with him.¹⁴

C. Jonathan confirms the desire of the king (vv. 32-34).

1 Sam 20:32 "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Jonathan asked his father. 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. 34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the month he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David.

At last, Saul makes clear his rationale for wanting David dead. It is all for the sake of his son (although selflessness is not a trait one would associate with Saul).¹⁵ The king certainly has difficulty showing concern for Jonathan, but by throwing his spear, he confirms David's earlier experience (19:10).

 

Application: Be careful what you wish for, lest you get your wish and find it less than satisfying.¹⁶ As the psalmist remarked about when Israel insisted on having meat rather than manna in the wilderness: "He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" (Ps 106:15 KJV). Saul wanted to keep his throne, ostensibly for his son, but he lost both in the end. If you pursue something that is not what God wants for you, even if you receive it or achieve it, you will be no better off and may even be worse off than if you had never pursued it. That was a lesson too late for Saul but may not be for you.

 

True loyalty does not depend on circumstance, which is subject to change. True loyalty depends on character and remains constant regardless of circumstance.

• Jonathan was devoted to David despite his father's animosity to David.
• David was devoted to Jonathan even as David knew the monarchy would eventually shift in his favor.

Not withstanding their tenuous circumstances, Jonathan and David displayed a loyalty to each other, friend to friend, that enabled them to endure difficulty as King Saul tested the bonds of their friendship.¹⁷

For the Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf here.