YSTS LESSON 214 JONATHAN’S COVENANT WITH DAVID
MEMORY VERSE: “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).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
In the previous chapter, Saul continued his violent pursuit after David to Naioth in Ramah. Despite David fleeing to the house of God, Saul still went after him, having no regard for God’s presence. As he went to Ramah to hunt David, the Spirit of God arrested him and he fell to the ground. While he fell under the influence of the Spirit, David escaped and came to meet Jonathan. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations… The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (2 Peter 2:9; Proverbs 18:10). Christian youths should know that the sure place to run to in times of trouble is the presence of God. By doing so, God will surely make a way out for them.
1. COMFORT AND COVENANT OF TRUE LOVE BETWEEN JONATHAN AND DAVID (1 Samuel 20:1-17; 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 9:1-13; Proverbs 17:17; John 15:14,15; Galatians 6:10)
After David fled from Saul, he met Jonathan and complained to him about his father’s attempt to kill him. He appealed to Jonathan stating his innocency, and asked him to reveal his offense to enable him beg for pardon from Saul. It is always a thing of joy to find someone, a friend you can confide in. Jesus is the greatest Friend every youth should have. He loves and gave Himself for us and is ready to always support us. There is no friend that can lift our burdens or answer our questions like Jesus.
“And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so” (verse 2). Jonathan assured David, “thou shalt not die”, and spoke with confidence that his father had no evil plan against him, because of the oath which he had sworn to him before (1 Samuel 19:6).
“And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee” (verses 3,4).
Question 1: Should Christian youths swear today?
David confirmed his word with an oath. However, as New Testament believers, we are commanded not to swear (Matthew 5:36,37). As a true friend in times of need, Jonathan was ready to do whatever David desired from him and agreed to carry out a test for him (Proverbs 17:17). As a Christian youth, how ready are you to meet the needs of a friend or convert? “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
“And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee? Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?” (verses 9,10). Jonathan affirmed his loyalty to David and stood as a means of encouragement to him in his distress. He testified solemnly to renew his friendship with him.
Christian youths must be available to encourage fellow believers in times of needs and trials. Jonathan’s love for David has no limit in doing his wish or desire. As soon as they both left and went into the field, Jonathan solemnly pledged to do all David required of him.
Question 2: From Jonathan’s love for David, what should characterise our love for Christ?
Christian youths should know that God expects us to pledge our loyalty to Him. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Our love for the Master must be concrete and accompanied by sacrificial commitment. The love of Jonathan towards David was pure and unaffected by public or filial influence. It was an undying love which was reciprocal even after death (verse 17; 2 Samuel 1:25,26). This kind of love is the diet that Christian hearts must feed on to produce enduring and rewarding service. Just as Jonathan dared the risk involved in speaking to Saul on behalf of David, believing youths should not allow any challenge to reduce their loyalty and commitment to the Master. “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not” (verse 14). The love of Christ should compel us to reach out to sinners because their lives are in danger (2 Corinthians 5:14).
2. CONCRETE PROOF OF ASSURANCE BY JONATHAN (1 Samuel 20:18-24; 22:23; Genesis 40:14,15; Romans 12:9-11; 16:1,2)
“Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And 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” (verses 18,19). Jonathan consented to the suggestion of David in order to give him full assurance of the state of things, and thereby arrived at a plan. “And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever” (verse 23). This is to prove his sincerity and loyalty to him.
How sincere are you to your friend? Are you a friend like Judas or Jonathan? A Christian youth must always seek to save and deliver his brethren from danger and not to set trap for their downfall. This act of love saved David from death and also had a longtime payback for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13; 21:7). Jonathan referred to this as “the kindness of the LORD” (verse 14). Our love must be sincere and complete. Our friends must be sure of our love and feel secure. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:9,10).
Question 3: How did David later reciprocate Jonathan’s kind gesture towards him?
3. JONATHAN’S TOKEN AND FAREWELL TO DAVID (1 Samuel 20:24-42; Joshua 8:12-19; Numbers 10:10; 28:11-15; Proverbs 24:11,12)
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 Saul had renounced his plot to kill him. But if the king regarded his absence with strong displeasure and discontent, 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.
Question 4: What can Christian youths learn from Jonathan’s effort to save David’s life?
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 with those concerned (Acts 23:12-24). In like manner, believers should labour to rescue sinners and backsliders who are in danger of 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 sinners and backsliders before it is too late.
