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DAVID MAKES ANOTHER COVENANT WITH JONATHAN

I Samuel 20:1-24a

Victor M. Eskew

 

1.      Outline:

 

I.                    DAVID EXPRESSES HIS FEAR TO JONATHAN (I Sam. 20:1-3)

II.                 DAVID ENJOINS HIS PLAN TO JONATHAN (I Sam. 20:4-9)

III.               JONATHAN ESTABLISHES HIS COVENANT WITH DAVID (I Sam. 20:10-17)

IV.              JONATHAN EXPLAINS HIS ARROWS TO DAVID (I Sam. 20:18-24a)

 

2.      To whom did David go when he left Naioth? (I Sam. 20:1)

 

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said unto Jonathan…

 

A.    Jonathan

 

B.      David has already been protected by Jonathan once before (See I Sam. 19:1-2).  David knew that if Jonathan had pertinent information that he would share it with him.

 

3.      What question did David ask of his friend? (I Sam.20:1)

 

…What have I done?  what is mine iniquity?  and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

 

A.    What have I done?  What is mine iniquity?  What is my sin?

 

B.      It is seldom that a person just randomly desires to harm another individual.  Certainly, we do not want to harm those who help us as David helped Saul.

 

C.     If there were a crime against Saul that he had committed, David wanted to know about it.  As Saul’s son, Jonathan may have some information on the subject.

 

4.      What was Jonathan’s initial reaction to David’s words? (I Sam.20:2)

 

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die…

 

A.    Jonathan was in denial about the matter.

 

B.      Denial is a defense mechanism.

1.      It enables us to slowly deal with the truth oftentimes.

2.      However, if a person continues in denial, it is detrimental to the actual circumstances.

 

5.      T – F    Jonathan believed that his father would first reveal his intentions to him (I Sam. 20:2)

 

…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?

 

A.    True

 

B.      This presents to us the dilemma in which Jonathan finds himself.  He loves David, but he wants to trust his father.

6.      Jonathan was certain that his father was not out to kill David (I Sam. 20:2)

 

…it is not so.

 

A.    True

 

7.      What was the main reason David gave for Saul’s not revealing this to Jonathan? (I Sam. 20:3)

 

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.

 

A.    Saul would not reveal his plans to Jonathan because he knew that Jonathan cared deeply for David.

 

B.      His reasons were probably many.

1.      He did not want to hurt his son.

2.      He did not want to anger his son.

3.      He did not want to have to deal with the arguments his son would give him in an attempt to keep him from accomplishing his purpose.

 

8.      “As thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death” (I Sam. 20:3).

 

A.    David knew that at any moment Saul might be successful in killing him.  His very next step could be his last.

 

B.      LESSON:  David’s life had been threatened many times.  Thus, he felt the truth of his words very intensely.  The reality is that between all of us and death is but a step.

 

9.      How did Jonathan reply to David’s words? (I Sam. 20:4)

 

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatosever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

 

A.    Jonathan probably knew that David had a request to make of him.  Jonathan wants David to feel free to ask of him anything of him, and he would seek to do it.

 

B.      LESSON:  This is the essence of friendship.  A friend should be able to make a request.  A friend should be willing to comply with a request if within reason.

 

10.  Because it was the new moon, where was David supposed to be? (I Sam. 20:5)

 

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat…

 

A.    David should be at the king’s table at the new moon.

 

B.      The Jewish calendar was a lunar calendar that ran from new moon to new moon.

1.      The new moon is the time when the moon cannot be seen.

2.      During this time of the month, the Jews offered peace offerings and celebrated (Num. 10:10; 28:11).

3.      Apparently, the king held a large feast for all of his servants at that particular time.  All were supposed to be there.  It also appears that it was a two-day event.

 

11.  Where did he ask to go instead? (I Sam. 20:5)

 

…but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

 

A.     David asked that he be permitted to hide himself during both days of the celebration.

 

B.      Enough had transpired that David no longer felt safe around the king’s table, even in the presence of other servants of the king.

 

12.  If Saul missed David, and asked about his absence, what was Jonathan to say? (I Sam. 20:6)

 

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city:  for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

 

A.    He was to say that David had asked to be excused in order to attend a yearly feast held by his family in Bethlehem.

 

13.  What would Saul say if he had peace in his heart toward David? (I Sam. 20:7)

 

If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace…

 

A.    Saul would say:  “It is well.”  In other words, he would be okay with David’s absence.

 

14.  If Saul was angry, what would they know? (I Sam. 20:7)

 

…but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

 

A.    If he grew angry, they would know that Saul was determined to do evil against David.

 

15.  What did David request of Jonathan? (I Sam.20:8)

 

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant…

 

A.     He wanted Jonathan to deal kindly with him.

 

B.      Kindly

1.      Strong (2617):  kindly, with favor, with mercy, with merciful kindness.

2.      BDB:  goodness, kindness, faithfulness

 

16.  If there was iniquity in David, what did he request of Jonathan? (I Sam. 20:8)

 

…for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee:  notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

 

A.    David asked Jonathan to kill him instead of allowing him to be killed by Saul.

 

B.      Jonathan could have inflicted a quick death instead of a long, gruesome death.  Too, David would have seen compassion in his eyes instead of the anger of Saul.

 

 

 

 

17.  T – F    If Saul was determined to do evil to David, Jonathan would tell David. (I Sam. 20:9)

 

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?

 

A.    True

 

18.  “Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me?  or what if thy father answer thee roughly ” (I Sam. 20:10).

 

19.  Define:  roughly (I Sam. 20:10)

 

A.    Strong (7186):  severe

 

B.      BDB:  hard, cruel, severe, obstinate, vehement

 

20.  Where did Jonathan invite David to go? (I Sam. 20:11)

 

And Jonathan said unto David, come, and let us go out into the field.  And they went out both of them into the field.

 

A.    The field

 

21.  T – F    If his father was going to do good or evil to David, Jonathan would tell David. (I

Sam. 20:12-13).

 

And Jonathan said unto David, O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and behold, if there be good toward David, and I will send not unto thee, and shew it thee; the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan:  but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew thee.

 

A.    True

 

22.  If evil was determined against David, what would Jonathan do? (I Sam. 20:13)

 

…and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace:  and the Lord be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

 

A.    He would send David away.

 

B.      Lesson:  Friends protect friends from evil

 

23.  In what two ways did Jonathan want David to show him kindness (I Sam. 20:14-15).

 

And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:  but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever…

 

A.    He would show kindness to Jonathan and never cause his death.  (NOTE:  This is an indication that he knew David would assume the kingdom.  When this happened, Jonathan’s life was to be spared.  Often the new king would slay all the family of the previous king).

 

B.      He would shew kindness to his house forever.

 

24.  T – F    Jonathan believed God would cut off the enemies of David from off the face of the

earth (I Sam. 20:15).

 

No, not when the Lord hat cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

 

A.    True

 

25.  T – F    Jonathan and David made another covenant together (I Sam. 20:16).

 

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying…

 

A.    True

 

26.  What is the meaning of the words:  “Let the Lord even require it at the hands of David’s enemies?” (I Sam. 20:16)

 

A.    The exact interpretation is extremely difficult.  Very few commentators attempt to convey the meaning of the words.

 

B.      Notice that Jonathan is forming a covenant with David.  Some believe Jonathan is saying that if he fails to fulfill his part of the covenant, then he would be punished by the hands of David’s enemies.

 

27.  Why did Jonathan make David swear again? (I Sam. 20:17)

 

And Jonathan caused David to swear again; because he loved him:  for he loved him as his own soul.

 

A.    When situations develop in our lives that are intense, difficult, and dangerous, we cannot get enough confirmation from others. 

 

B.      Jonathan wanted to have his mind assured that all David has promised him would come to pass.

 

28.  “Tomorrow is the new moon:  and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty” (I Sam. 20:18).

 

A.    This is a very touching verse.  Jonathan was already anticipating the feelings he would have due to David’s absence.  Seeing David, his friend, brought him much joy.  Not seeing him cause him pain.

 

B.     LESSON:  This is the same way elders, preachers, and faithful members feel when their brothers and sisters are not at the worship services.

 

29.  After three days, to which stone was David to go? (I Sam. 20:19)

 

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 at hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

 

A.    Ezel

1.      The meaning of the word “Ezel” is “departure.”

2.      It would be from this stone that David and Jonathan would depart from one another.

 

30.  How many arrows would Jonathan shoot? (I Sam. 20:20)

 

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

 

A.    Three

 

31.  What would Jonathan say to his servant if there was peace for David? (I Sam. 20:21)

 

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.

 

A.    The arrows are on this side of thee.

1.      The lad would have gone too far to get the arrows.

2.      They would be closer to Jonathan.

 

32.  What would Jonathan say to his servant if Saul sought David’s life (I Sam. 20:22)

 

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way:  for the Lord hath sent thee away.

 

A.    Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way.

1.      The young man would not have gone far enough to find the arrows.

2.      The arrows were farther away from him and Jonathan.

 

B.      NOTE:  Jonathan ends the statement, saying:  “…for the Lord hath sent thee away.”  He notes the providence of God involved in their lives.  God would be protecting David and would send him away.

 

33.  Who did Jonathan desire to be between him and David forever? (I Sam. 20:23)

 

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever.

 

A.    The Lord

 

34.  Where did David hide himself? (I Sam. 20:24a

 

So David hid himself in the field…

 

A.    In the field

 

B.      It is going to be a long two days for David to have to wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAUL IS DETERMINED TO KILL DAVID

Homework

I Samuel 20:24b-42

 

1.      Outline

 

i.                    I Samuel 20:24b-26

ii.                  I Samuel 20:27-34

iii.                I Samuel 20:35-40

iv.                I Samuel 20:41-42

 

2.      When did the king sit down to eat meat? (I Sam. 20:24b)

 

3.      Where was the location of the king’s seat (I Sam. 20:25)

 

4.      What other men were at the king’s table? (I Sam. 20:25)

 

5.      Who was missing? (I Sam. 20:25)

 

6.      T – F    Saul asked where David was.  (I Sam. 20:26)

 

7.      What did Saul reason had happened to David? (I Sam. 20:26)

 

8.      Who did Saul ask about David’s absence on the second day? (I Sam. 20:27)

 

9.      Into which town did Jonathan say David asked to go? (I Sam. 20:28)

 

10.  What was the purpose of David’s trip? (I Sam. 20:29)

 

11.  T – F    Saul was glad that David could go see his family. (I Sam. 20:30)

 

12.  How did Saul describe Jonathan? (I Sam. 20:30)

 

13.  How had Jonathan chosen to his own confusion according to Saul? (I Sam. 20:30)

 

14.  What did Saul mean when He said:  “…and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness”? (I Sam. 20:30)

 

15.  For as long as the son of Jesse lived, Saul knew who and what would not be established? (I Sam. 20:31).

 

16.  “Wherefore now send and ________________ him unto me, for he shall surely ____________ (I Sam. 20:31).

 

17.  What two questions did Jonathan ask his father after Saul told him David will die? (I Sam. 20:32).

 

A.

 

B.

 

18.  T – F    Saul tried to take Jonathan’s life with a javelin. (I Sam. 20:33)

 

19.  “…whereby Jonathan knew that is was _________________ of his father to slay David” (I Sam. 20:33).

 

20.  How did Jonathan arise from the table? (I Sam. 20:34)

 

21.  Jonathan was __________________ for David (I Sam. 20:34)

 

22.  Define:  grieved (I Sam. 20:34)

 

23.  What did Jonathan believe his father had done to David? (I Sam. 20:34)

 

24.  Define:  shame (I Sam. 20:34)

 

25.  T – F    Jonathan went into the field the following morning (I Sam. 20:35).

 

26.  What did Jonathan tell the lad that was with him to do? (I Sam. 20:36)

 

27.  When the lad reached the place of the arrow, what words did Jonathan cry out to him? (I Sam. 20:37)

 

28.  T – F    The lad gathered up the arrows. (I Sam. 20:38)

 

29.  T – F    The lad knew what the word Jonathan had spoken really meant. (I Sam. 20:39)

 

30.  After giving the lad his artillery, where did Jonathan tell him to take them? (I Sam. 20:40)

 

31.  How many times did David bow before Jonathan? (I Sam. 20:41)

 

32.  “…and they ________________ one another, and ____________ one with another” (I Sam. 20:41).

 

33.  What does it mean when the text says:  “…until David exceeded”? (I Sam. 20:41)

 

34.  “And Jonathan said to David, Go in _______________________.” (I Sam. 20:42)

 

35.  Who was between Jonathan and David and between their seed? (I Sam. 20:42)

 

36.  “And he arose and _________________________, and Jonathan went into the ___________” ( Sam. 20:42)