ADULT STS LESSON 214 JONATHAN’S COVENANT WITH DAVID
MEMORY VERSE: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
This study is a continuation of David’s nightmare and flight from danger to consult with his sworn friend, Jonathan, Saul’s son. David got into trouble with Saul simply because of his patriotic zeal for his nation and the glory of God. A closer look at the events which led to this scenario reveals that Saul was overcome with sheer envy, base passion and unwarranted resentment against an innocent soul. He felt insecure on the throne and directed his frustration in the wrong direction. Fortunately, David found favour with Jonathan who pledged to protect and provide him with security information. The renewal of their covenant of friendship was accompanied with a reassurance and promise of continued loyalty by Jonathan. The place and impact of godly friends cannot be overlooked and downplayed in Christendom.
From this study, we learn among others that, unlike Saul, leaders should be free from narrow-mindedness, suspicion and envy of their subordinates who may be more favoured, gifted and successful (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Like Jonathan, we should strive to show genuine sympathy to those whose godly characters are being unjustly maligned (Psalm 119:63; Hebrews 13:3). Above all, we should strive to live righteously at all times so as to be acceptable in the sight of the all-seeing God.
- DAVID CONSULTS WITH JONATHAN FOR SAFETY (1 Samuel 20:1-10; Proverbs 11:14; 17:17; 15:22; 18:24; 20:18; Matthew 2:13; 10:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:18)
“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). On several occasions, David fled for his life as a result of threats from Saul. Several unsuccessful attempts were made on his life: thrice, a javelin was thrown at him; twice, he was set up through marriage arrangement so that he could fall into the hands of the Philistines; six times, soldiers were sent after him, and four times, Saul hunted him in Ramah, Maon, Engedi and Ziph (1 Samuel 18:11,17-30; 19:1,10-24; 23:15,25,26; 24:1,2; 26:1,2). This was why David exclaimed, “…there is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). He, therefore, pleaded his innocence before Jonathan, with a readiness to humble himself and seek pardon if indeed he had done any wrong against Saul.
The Lord knows how to protect His people in times of danger (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9). When we carry out the great commission or do the Lord’s work, we should pray to discern when there is threat to our lives as to warrant relocating to other places to continue the work (Luke 4:29-31; John 7:1; 10:39-42). The Scripture says, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12). In handling threats to life, we should learn from the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostles Paul, Peter, and others.
It is comforting and reassuring that David could find a friend in Jonathan at a time he had such an enemy on the throne. Jonathan was, no doubt, one of the noblest characters in the Scriptures. He was “…a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” and one who “…loveth at all times…” (Proverbs 18:24; 17:17). He loved David in times of triumph and distress (1 Samuel 18:1; 20:1,2). He was selfless and sacrificial. His knowledge of David’s future greatness did not make him feel threatened or jealous. Rather, he loved his friend as his own soul and was willing to see him crowned for the throne. Such love is required of believers when someone else is appointed to a leadership position or manifests more gifts (Romans 12:10). Similar traits were exhibited by Jehu’s colleagues, John the Baptist and the apostles (2 Kings 9:5,11-13; John 3:26-33; Galatians 2:9; 2 Peter 3:15,16).
Jonathan also exhibited loyalty, the greatest evidence of genuine friendship, by being available to help in times of distress and personal struggles. Some people are fair-weather friends who stick around only when the relationship profits them, but leave as soon as it demands commitment and sacrificial love. In Jonathan, we also see purity of heart with no inclination to do evil (Isaiah 5:20). He was a principled person and one readily available to give David counsel when he needed it (Exodus 23:2; Proverbs 11:14). It is worth mentioning here that believers should always seek counsel from mature leaders when in doubt or danger.
2. DAVID AND JONATHAN RENEW THEIR COVENANT (1 Samuel 20:11-23; 18:3; 2 Samuel 9:1-10; Genesis 21:27; 1 Kings 5:12)
“And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever…” (1 Samuel 20:14,15).Motivated by pure love and regard for each other, Jonathan renewed his covenant of friendship with David (1 Samuel 18:3; 20:16,17). The reasons are obvious: he wanted to assure him of his unwavering love. He feared that David might have reasons to fear that his father’s influence, and his own interest in the throne, could make his love grow cold. He then invited David to “Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field” (1 Samuel 20:11), not to fight but talk and consolidate their friendship. Once they got to the field, Jonathan vowed and swore to remain faithful, even appealing to God as both witness and judge. “The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father” (1 Samuel 20:13).
The conditions of the covenant are in two parts, namely, David was to preserve the life of Jonathan on ascension to the throne – “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not” (1 Samuel 20:14) and he was to show kindness continually to the house of Jonathan: “But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever…” (1 Samuel 20:15). It was in remembrance of this covenant that David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:7; 21:7).
Faithfulness demands that we keep the terms of godly, righteous and legitimate covenants. It is an act of ungodliness to violate our commitments in form of business contracts, marriage vows or land agreements (Ecclesiastes 5:4; Malachi 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:3). All parties to such agreements are expected to keep their part of the deal. The Scripture enjoins us to fulfil our promises, covenants and vows (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21). “Covenantbreakers” are regarded as evildoers worthy of divine judgment (Romans 1:31,32).
Jonathan’s prayer in his oath that “…the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father” (1 Samuel 20:13) was prophetic. It showed that he had already concluded that David would definitely become king in his father’s stead and would not be killed by his father. We observe that Jonathan was faithful in keeping to the terms of his covenant with David just as David also trusted him.
3. JONATHAN’S TOKEN AND FAREWELL TO DAVID (1 Samuel 20:24-42; Joshua 8:12-19)
In response to Jonathan’s readiness to assist, David proposed a simple strategy to ascertain Saul’s disposition towards him. In two days, Saul was to hold a feast during the new moon when sacrifices would be offered (Numbers 10:10; 28:11-15). At this solemn feast, Saul probably would have all his children and officers sit with him. David, therefore, knew that Saul would expect him at the feast. Meanwhile, he had resolved to be absent from the feast as a safety strategy. Should Saul overlook or excuse his absence, he would conclude that he had reneged on his plot to kill him. But if the king expressed strong displeasure and discontent at his absence, it would be easy to conclude that mischief was determined by the king against him.
David and Jonathan settled on the signs and tokens to adopt to know Saul’s mood towards David. “And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And, 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” (1 Samuel 20:20,21). The sign was that Jonathan would shoot three arrows on the side of the rock, Ezel. If he told a lad the arrows were on this side of the rock, it would mean that David could come home as no harm was intended; “but if he says the arrows are beyond thee…”, then David was to go his way for Saul intended to kill him.
Based on the agreed arrangement, Jonathan saved the life of David, Israel’s future king, from being cut short prematurely. Believers who have privileged information to save other believers from life-threatening situations should not hesitate to share it with those concerned (Acts 23:12-24). In like manner, we should labour to rescue sinners and backsliders who are in danger of going to hell. “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” (Proverbs 24:11,12). We should device scriptural, evangelistic strategies to reach all categories of people before it is too late.
Questions for review:
- Mention some lessons from the lives of the major characters in our text.
- Outline some qualities of true friendship exhibited by Jonathan.
- Why was Saul bent on eliminating David?
- What is the importance of keeping godly friends?
- What can believers learn from Jonathan and David regarding faithfulness and trust in fellowship?
- How can believers and leaders be free from envy and hatred?
- What are the duties of believers to those in danger of hell?
