1 Samuel 20:35 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Samuel 20:35

Comments

Jonathan is true to his word and delivers a faithful account of Saul’s reaction. The signal is given and the message is that Saul has indeed reacted badly as David feared he would. He gathers up the three arrows (verse 20) and returned them to his master. The young lad with Jonathan is completely unaware of what has happened; there must be no possibility that word gets back to Saul. That knowledge would be dangerous for both Jonathan and David. We are entitled to conceal the truth from those who would harm us, though we are not entitled to lie. Jonathan’s greater loyalty is to his believing friend with whom he has made this covenant, and he will not let him down in this time of crisis and weakness. Above all, he will not resist the Lord’s will that David should be king rather than himself.Although the signal indicates that David should flee immediately, and they have designed it so that it is clear without any word being exchanged between them, Jonathan cannot resist a final farewell to his friend. The young lad is sent back to the city with Jonathan’s equipment so that he witnesses nothing, and David comes out of his hiding place, and they embrace for what might have been the last time. David cannot return to court or else Saul will kill him; that is plain. He must now become a fugitive, and it is likely that he will be hunted down. But even in this change of circumstances the Lord is with him, for the prophecy cannot fail that he will take the throne. He is about to enter a very difficult but instructive phase of his life, and he will continue to conduct himself as a believer should. He will not stretch out his hand and take Saul’s life even though the opportunity to do so comes to him.

Application

God's messenger to David in this particular chapter is Jonathan himself. In verses 41-42, you see the great comfort which Jonathan extends to David, and what a great strength and help it is to David. That is quite right too. David comes near to breaking point and Christian fellowship comes in. Christian fellowship and friendship are used in this particular chapter by the Lord, to strengthen David, and it helps him enormously. It is a token of the Lord’s love for us that there are fellow believers on earth who care for us and would render much help to us. Even though David was to be parted from Jonathan, it would still comfort him greatly to know that there was loyal affection in Jonathan’s heart. Jonathan of course had to return to his father; he could not be expected to openly rebel against him; he had certain duties to perform in spite of his father’s evil behaviour. But secretly he was bound to David. They both wept, but David wept more. They were both clear that he was the Lord himself who was the bond between them. Their covenant had been made before him, and they knew that not even death would separate them, for believers anticipate an eternal friendship together in the resurrection. They must both wait for the Lord to bring about his will in his own way. Jonathan would die on the battlefield with his father, and the Lord would take his faithful servant to himself.

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1 Samuel 20:35 Commentary and Bible Study