May 3, 2020. I Samuel 20:1-11

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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PARANOIA OR PLOT VICTIM? I SAMUEL 20:1-11. PM. 05/03/20. #63.

1 Samuel 20:1-11 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” 2 So Jonathan said to him, “By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, my father will do nothing either great or small without first telling me. And why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!” 3 Then David took an oath again, and said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 4 So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.” 5 And David said to Jonathan, “Indeed tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go, that I may hide in the field until the third day at evening. 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ 7 If he says thus: ‘It is well,’ your servant will be safe. But if he is very angry, be sure that evil is determined by him. 8 Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. Nevertheless, if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?” 9 But Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you?” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me, or what if your father answers you roughly?” 11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out into the field.

  • Enemy of the State
    • David comes to Jonathan and wants to know what crime he has done
      • Saul is seeking his life even as David loyally served him
      • The unrighteous will hate the righteous for no just cause
      • The righteous are reminders of the God the wicked hate
    • The righteous must be careful not to become bitter or vindictive or self-pitying when unfairly and unreasonably treated
      • John 16:33 attacks will come (John 15:18-25)
      • I Peter 4 being attacked for Christ’s sake identifies with him
    • Jonathan is incredulous
      • He is unaware of Saul’s intention
      • Jonathan thought he solved the issue when he calmed dad down
      • Jonathan doesn’t know the David had to flee for his life
      • Jonathan believed that he was Saul’s confidante (all revealed)
      • Evil does not send a warning when it is going to strike
    • Jonathan wants to think well of his father
      • Those who want to think well of everyone are caught off guard and unawares (stunned and dismayed)
      • Being gracious doesn’t mean being naive (I Peter 5:8, II Chronicles 11)
    • David faces the dilemma of not being believed (Jonathan holds his fate)
      • Jonathan thinks that David was being paranoid
      • It is difficult not to be believed when you are threatened or falsely accused (no way to prove your case)          
        • Often, only God knows the truth
        • Many innocent men have been convicted, unable to prove their innocence
  • The truth be known
    • Jonathan has to decide if David is telling the truth or overreacting
      • David swears that what he is saying is true
      • David reminds Jonathan of their covenant oath before the Lord
    • David postulates that Saul would hide the truth from Jonathan since Saul knew that Jonathan favored David (Jonathan doesn’t want to believe that his father would deceive him or not show signs of malice toward David)
      • David’s life is in the balance
      • David could see the conflict on Jonathan’s face
        • Jonathan is caught in the middle
        • Often events are forced upon us and we must act
    • Jonathan doesn’t know what to think
      • He refrains from dismissing David’s claims outright (it is wise to refrain from judgment until all the facts are in)
      • Jonathan needs more evidence before coming to a conclusion
    • David pleads for kindness (a partner in righteousness)
  • The plan
    • David says that he is going to hide in the field for 3 days
      • He won’t attend the feast of the new moon with Saul
      • New Moon = begins Heb. month (29½ days; later Heb. alternated 29 and 30 day mon. and added extra mon. every 19 yrs.)
      • Jonathan = tell his father that David went to Bethlehem for the annual family sacrifice
    • If Saul reacts calmly all is well; if angered, David is in jeopardy
    • Jonathan accepts the plan, though he is still skeptical of David’s claim
    • Jonathan’s loyalty must be to righteousness (not Saul or David)
      • Luke 12:49-53 must decide between Christ and own family
      • A test of Jonathan’s faith, honoring dad, and covenant with David
    • If you have a solid foundation, you make the right tough decisions