What We Can Learn About David
Let’s look
at this story and what it teaches us.
David learns that he is a pretty good judge of character – especially
when it comes to his enemies. He knows
Saul’s intentions better than Saul’s own son.
He knows Saul’s desire to remove him from the scene. God has equipped David with good discernment
abilities.
What We Can Learn About Saul
As for
Saul, we see him slide even further away from a godly life. Notice that Saul is enraged by David’s empty
seat. Perhaps Saul was genuinely worried
for David’s spirituality as the text hints, but I doubt it. I believe Saul is enraged because it removes
an opportunity for Saul to take care of David once and for all. Certainly Saul expresses concern for Jonathon’s
kingdom and the kingdom of his lineage – more concern than Jonathon certainly
has!
It is also
likely that Saul is enraged because David is asserting control over Saul
through his absence. Saul could be
offended that he wouldn’t come dine with “the king.” David is challenging Saul’s authority in his
absence, and I cannot imagine this sat well with Saul.
In any
case, Saul’s anger is kindled and his ego is challenged. So it is with people who don’t get their way
when they are centered on themselves and not on God. Saul wants his way and doesn’t get it.
Furthermore,
we get to see Saul have a typical human reaction when faced with anger. Saul points fingers of blame everywhere but
himself. When Jonathon announces David’s
absence, notice that Saul immediately blames Jonathon! Furthermore, notice how in the insult Saul
specifically calls Jonathon the “son of a perverse, rebellious woman.” In that insult is an inherent denial of his
own influence upon Jonathon. Saul no
longer can see how his sinful nature might influence the people around him. From Saul’s perspective, everything –
including the faults of his own children – seems to no longer have a connection
to himself. This is a sign of
megalomania. Saul is delusional in
thinking himself better than the rest.
What We Can Learn About Jonathon
We also get
a great lesson on Jonathon, and that is where I will spend the rest of my time
today. Jonathon proves himself loyal and
caring. In the beginning of the chapter,
Jonathon genuinely wants the best for David.
Jonathon goes along with the scheme, even helping to develop it. In the end, Jonathon is faithful to the
scheme as he adds emphasis to the need for David to flee immediately and go far
away. Jonathon is faithful to his
spiritual relationship with David.
Continuing
with Jonathon, imagine how difficult it must have been to suddenly see how corrupt
his father really had become. I can only
imagine what Jonathon was thinking at the time.
I think every child has that moment of realization when they understand
that their parents are human beings and make mistakes. But Jonathon is dealing with more than
that! Jonathon is realizing that his dad
is not only flawed, but acting outside the will of God. Jonathon realizes here just how corrupt his
father has truly become. This is no
small thing for Jonathon to have to realize, and I give credit to Jonathon for
being willing and able to face it rather than ignoring it and burying it.
Finally,
Jonathon’s relationship with David and his new understanding about Saul means
that Jonathon is forced to make a choice.
Jonathon demonstrates the ability to choose spirituality over blood {family,
if you will}. Jonathon’s claim in 1
Samuel 20:16 is an assertion that he understands that it is God’s will that
David become king instead of him.
Jonathon’s assertion in 1 Samuel 20:42 is the fulfillment of that
spiritual understanding. Jonathon is
choosing God’s ways and God’s choice for king over his own family. He is a spiritual young man capable of doing
what many in this word cannot: choosing God over anything else.
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