The Ultimate Goal of Christian Friendship - 1 Samuel, Part 35

In the previous chapter, Saul attempts to kill David eight times. He initially tries to persuade Jonathan to murder David, but Jonathan refuses and asserts his friend’s innocence (vv. 1–5). In response, Saul vows not to harm David. However, he goes back on his word a short time later (vv. 9–10). David flees to Samuel at Ramah and goes into hiding and we have the remarkable story of David’s friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20 (ESV)

David is confused as to why Saul wants to kill him.  At this point Jonathan doesn’t seem certain that this is his father’s wish.  Between the two of them they hatch a plot. Jonathan will excuse David from sitting at dinner with the King.  How the King reacts will convince both men one way or the other. “If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him.” (1 Samuel 20:7, ESV)

David was certain of Saul’s murderous intentions, but Jonathan would seek to determine if they are valid or not and he promised to tell David.  In their friendship they made a covenant.

“And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies.” And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” (1 Samuel 20:16–17, ESV)

Their covenant is further amplified in vv. 13–17, 42; 23:17, 18. The disclosure involved David hiding by a rock heap.  Jonathan would shoot three arrows near the heap and send his servant to fetch them. If Jonathan tells us servant to fetch the arrows in front of David’s hiding place that means that things are OK with the King.  If he commands his servant to fetch arrows beyond David, the news is bad.

At the King’s table, Saul initially said nothing about David’s absence.  But eventually he asked, and Jonathan gave the planned reply. “Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”” (1 Samuel 20:28–29, ESV)

“Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan.”^[1]  There’s the answer.  The King’s anger is affirmed.  Jonathan brings the news to David.  “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. 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.” (1 Samuel 20:41–42, ESV)

One of the most obvious insights into the relationship of David and Jonathan was their unbelievably faithful friendship.   Even in this chapter we learn that:

• It was stronger than personal desires (v4).
• It was stronger than family relationships (v9).
• It was stronger than personal ambition (v31)
• It was stronger than the fear of death (v3).
• It was stronger than time (v15).

 “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.” (1 Samuel 20:42, ESV)

 Verse 42 reads this way in the NIV: “The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.”   Many take this phrase to be a blessing.  It sits well on Christian plaques and posters.  But it is actually an imprecation – a calling of God’s judgment on one another, if in fact they or their offspring fail to keep the covenant.  The CEV captures the essence: “And remember, we each have asked the Lord to watch and make sure that we and our descendants keep our promise forever.” 

 But there is a deeper story here than simply a lesson on good human friendships.  I think it is caught up in this verse: “May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies” (1 Samuel 20:16b, ESV).  David is now God’s representative to Israel.  He is the anointed King awaiting enthronement. He also prefigures the perfect King who would come and rule over God’s people.  Jesus Christ is his son – his offspring.  The friendship of David and Jonathan was in fact a preservation of the Seed of David, King Jesus. To wipe out the household of David is to eliminate the promise of a Savior. 

Saul stands as the personification of the offspring of Satan (Genesis 3:15) seeking to crush the offspring of the Woman.  On this path of human history, the friendship of David and Jonathan stood opposed to that plan.  Here the story collapses into one point.  The marks of a great friendship include the cooperation of friends to stand against all that opposes Christ.  Friendships will either support the glories of Christ or they will oppose Christ.

 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 20:30). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.