CSSA 1-2-23 - DAVID AND JONATHAN

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48. DAVID AND JONATHAN

"Jonathan loved him as his own soul"

Aim

To show the unselfish love of Jonathan and the meaning of true friendship

Synopsis

All the people of Israel admired David and sang his praises because of his great victory over Goliath. When they saw how well he behaved himself, they began to love him (v16). Jonathan, Saul's son, a godly, faithful man, loved David deeply; but Saul was jealous and began to hate David.

1 Samuel 18:1-16; 20:11-42; 24:1-22

THE DEEP AND LASTING LOVE OF DAVID AND JONATHAN: 1 Samuel 18:1-4

Because he was Saul's eldest son, Jonathan was heir to the throne of Israel. Everyone expected that he would be the next king. There are many stories in the first book of Samuel of Jonathan's outstanding faith and courage and God would have really loved him. Saul, however, had been rejected by God because of his disobedience (see Lesson 20). God had chosen another man to be king, "a man after His own heart" € David the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah. From that tribe Messiah (that is, Christ) would later come and he did indeed come through the family line of David. The news that God had chosen David gradually spread throughout all Israel. When Jonathan realised that David would be king he was neither angry nor jealous (I Sam. 23:17). From the time of their first meeting, when David was the hero of all Israel, Jonathan became very fond of the young shepherd boy, for Jonathan could see how much he loved God. He was obviously very impressed by David's faith and courage in boldly facing that gigantic enemy of Israel, Goliath, and in fearlessly going out to slay him. As a sign of his respect and love he took off his own royal robe and girdle and gave them to David to wear. Jonathan was a great soldier, but he gave his sword and his bow to David too, to show how much he loved him (v4).

KING SAUL'S JEALOUS HATRED -1 Samuel 18:5-16

It never occurred to Jonathan that his father would hate such a lovely young man as David. It was not long though before Saul's actions showed that he was jealous of David. After one battle with the Philistines, Saul heard the singing and dancing of the women of Israel in their happiness that Israel had been victorious. He should have been glad, but he heard their song - "Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands" (v7). This made Saul very angry and he made up his mind to kill David.

The next day, while David played music to soothe him, Saul threw a spear at him to try to kill him. Twice, this happened and twice David escaped. Saul became afraid of David, because he saw that God was with him; but God had deserted Saul because of his rebellious heart. So he plotted, time and again, to destroy David. As each plot failed, Saul hated him more and more (v29), until finally the king commanded Jonathan and all his servants to help him kill David. "But all Israel and Judah loved David" (v16).

Jonathan was a very loyal son, but he knew that God had chosen David to be king over Israel. So he protected David even when Saul was plotting to kill him. It made Jonathan very unhappy and he warned David of his father's wicked plans, but then went back to his father to plead with him not to return evil to David for the good David had always done to him. Jonathan's words were so kind and so true that Saul "hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware (that is, promised), As Yahweh liveth he shall not be slain" (1 Sam. 19:4-6).

DAVID GOES INTO HIDING: 1 Samuel 20:11-42

Jonathan really did believe that his father had changed his mind. David was brought once again to the king's palace, but again Saul took up a javelin to throw at David. So this time David fled to the old prophet Samuel and stayed with him at Ramah (1 Sam. 19:10,18).

Then one day, David and Jonathan met together secretly. Because each of them loved God so much, their love for each other had grown stronger. They made a covenant together out in the field, a promise to remain true and faithful to each other. Jonathan made David promise also, that, when he became king, he would continue to show kindness to Jonathan's family. The next day, at the time of the new moon, there was a feast, but David was still hiding in the field and did not come to eat at Saul's table. At first, Saul pretended not to notice, but on the second day he asked Jonathan why "the son of Jesse" had not come to the feast. Jonathan told his father that he had given David permission to join his own family in Bethlehem for a sacrifice there. Saul could see that Jonathan was protecting David, for he knew there was a strong bond of friendship between them. Now Saul's anger turned on Jonathan, his own faithful son. "As long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die" (v31).

When Jonathan tried to speak up for David, Saul was so furious that he hurled a javelin at him. Jonathan could see that words were useless any longer. Blinded by jealousy, his father would not rest until he had killed David. "So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger ... for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame" (v34). Jonathan had arranged beforehand to meet David in the field and tell him whether Saul's anger had passed or not.

Sadly now they said goodbye, for it was not safe for David any longer. He must flee for his life. "Go in peace", said Jonathan to his young friend, "Yahweh be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever" (v42).

DAVID RETURNS GOOD FOR EVIL: 1 Samuel 24

Saul now hunted David like an animal. With a small band of followers, David hid in the deserts and hills. While Saul pursued him, God protected him, sometimes warning him how to escape from Saul (1 Sam. 23:9-12). One day Saul came to rest in the very cave in which David and his men were hiding. All Saul's 3,000 soldiers were outside and Saul was alone. David's men whispered to him that now was his chance to kill the king, but David would not do it, for Saul was God's anointed. But he crept up to Saul as he slept, and cut off a piece from the hem of his robe. As soon as he had crept back to his men with the piece of Saul's robe in his hand, David was sorry for doing even this. When Saul arose from his sleep and left the cave, David followed him out and called to him, "My lord, the king" (v8), and bowed down before him.

He told Saul how he had been encouraged by his men to kill him in the cave, but had spared his life. To prove how close he had been he showed Saul a piece of his robe. David pleaded with Saul to believe him and to see that he had not sinned against him; so why should the king hunt him to take his life. King Saul was moved by David's kindness and loyalty and ashamed of his own wickedness. "Thou art more righteous than I", said Saul to David, "for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And now, behold I know well that thou shalt surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand" (vvl7-20). He pleaded with David never to harm anyone in his family as he had sought to harm David. David gladly promised to do as Saul asked and so they parted, Saul going home but David and his men returning to the caves and the hills of Israel.

Saul's repentance, as always, did not last long. Soon he was out hunting David again, until David was forced to flee to the Philistines' land. He stayed there until Saul was dead and the men of Judah quickly called him back to make him king.

LESSON FOR US

Because of his envy and hatred, Saul tried to stop David becoming king. His hatred drove him to anger and lying and even to trying to murder David. God would not help such a man. Saul, therefore, is a warning to us against envy or hatred of others. Envy quickly turns to hatred, and that is as bad as murder in God's eyes (1 John 3:15). David only felt sorry for Saul. He returned good for evil and love for hatred. The Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of this important lesson: "I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

David and Jonathan were both loyal and faithful to Saul - David, because Saul was his king, and Jonathan, because Saul was his father. God will be pleased with us, too, if we behave as they did.

Jonathan was a true friend. So was David. Their love was generous and never failed. They are both splendid examples to us of unselfish love and that is just what God wants us to show € love for God and love for the brethren and sisters of Christ and their children; not thinking of ourselves, but of others. Ask your parents or teacher to help you understand the beautiful words of Paul about love in I Cor. 13:4-8. The Lord Jesus Christ alone has loved us in that way. We must try every day to show the same love to others.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

SAUL AND JONATHAN DIE IN BATTLE: 1 Samuel 31

The last battle of Saul's life was fought on Mount Gilboa. The Israelites fled before the Philistines and many of Saul's soldiers were slain. Saddest of all, brave and faithful Jonathan was killed too. Saul was badly wounded by arrows. The Philistines were fast overtaking him as he and his armour-bearer fled. Saul was desperate. He could not escape and God would no| help him if he prayed to Him. He asked his armour-bearer to kill him, so that he would not suffer the shame of being slain by the Philistines, but when he refused, Saul took his sword and killed himself.

David was grief-stricken when he heard the news. His grief was for Saul as well as for Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:12 and 17).

How easy it would have been to rejoice at the death of his enemy. But David was loyal to God's anointed and very forgiving. David had learnt how great was God's mercy to him and how He wishes us to be merciful to others, even though they may not deserve it (Matt. 5:43-48). You can read David's sad and beautiful lament for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Sam. 1:17-27. Above all, David was distressed by the loss of Jonathan, whose love for him had been deeper and sweeter than anyone else's could be (2 Sam. 1:26). David later showed his love for Jonathan when he cared for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son (2 Sam. 9:7).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

Which of Saul's sons loved David?
What presents did Jonathan give to David to show his love?
When God chose David to be king what did Jonathan think of that?
What was the song which Saul heard which made him jealous of David?
What did Saul do to David one day when David was playing softly to him?
When David and Jonathan met out in the field, what did Jonathan make him promise?
When Jonathan told Saul why David was not at the feast, what did Saul do?
When Saul was asleep in the same cave as David, what did David do to him ?
David's men wanted him to kill Saul. Why would he not kill him?
When Saul saw how easily David could have killed him in the cave, what did Saul say?

Detailed Answers

1. How did the Lord Jesus Christ tell us to behave towards our enemies?
2. Show how David behaved like this towards Saul.
Saul and Jonathan were very different. One was David's enemy and the other was his friend.
1. What made Saul jealous of David? (Give two reasons)
2. Why did Jonathan love David?
Tell the story of what happened when Saul rested in the cave where David was hiding.