Jonathan’s Covenant with David

1Samuel 20:1-42

INTRODUCTION: Christians ought to be the best friends someone can have (Proverbs 18:24). This lesson shows the value of true friendship. It also shows the qualities that make a good friend. Consider the friendship of Jonathan to David.

1. It was stronger than personal desires (v.4)
2. It was stronger than family relationships (v.9)
3. It was stronger than ambition (v.31)
4. It was stronger than the fear of death (v.3, 33)
5. It was stronger than time (v.15, 42)

1. THE PLAN TO TEST SAUL (20:1-9)
   1. The Fears of David (20:1-3)
      1. Wondering why Saul seeks his life(v.1)
      2. Fearing deception (v.2-3)
         1. Jonathan does not yet believe it (v.2)
         2. David believes Saul hides it (v.3a)
         3. David: "there is but a step between me and death" (v.3b; Job 7:7; Psalm 88:3; Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)

   2. The Plan of David (20:4-7)
      1. Jonathan’s willingness to help (v.4); "Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee"
      2. David’s absence at the time of the new moon (v.5; see Numbers 28:11-15; 10:10; Colossians 2:16)
      3. Saul’s reaction to David’s absence is the test (v.6-7)

   3. The Frustration of David (20:8-9; cp. Acts 25:11)
      1. He reminds Jonathan of their covenant (v.8a)
      2. He offers his life if he is guilty (v.8b)
      3. Jonathan reaffirms his faithfulness to David (v.9)

2. THE COVENANT BETWEEN JONATHAN AND DAVID (20:10-17)
   1. Jonathan’s Promise to David (20:10-13)
      1. Promise to meet in the field (v.10-12)
      2. Promise to warn David of danger (v.13)

   2. Jonathan’s Request of David (20:14-15)
      1. That David spare his life (v.14); this is an interesting request from a man whose father had the "power" and desire to take David’s life
      2. That David not cut off his seed (v.15; see 2Samuel 9:1, 7-8)

   3. Jonathan’s Covenant with David (20:16-17; cp. 18:3-4)
      1. A covenant with the house of David (v.16)
      2. A covenant of love (v.17); "for he loved him as he loved his own soul."

3. THE PLAN TO INFORM DAVID (20:18-23)
   1. At the Stone Ezel (20:18-19)
   2. Shooting the Arrows (10:20-23)
      1. The sign of peace and safety (v.20-21)
      2. The warning of danger (v.22-23)

    

4. SAUL’S DETERMINATION TO KILL DAVID (20:24-34)
   1. Silent the First Day (20:24-26)
      1. David’s seat is empty (v.24-25)
      2. Saul thinks David is unclean (v.26)

   2. Angry the Second Day (20:27-34)
      1. Saul’s inquiry (v.27-29)
      2. Saul’s accusation (v.30-31)
         1. He accuses Jonathan of treachery (v.30)
         2. He warns Jonathan of losing the kingdom (v.31); this is Saul’s real reason for hating David
      3. Jonathan’s reaction (v.32-34)
         1. Questions his father’s reasons (v.32)
         2. Dodges his father’s javelin (v.33)
         3. Leaves his father in anger (v.34a)
         4. Grieves for David’s misfortune (v.34b)

5. JONATHAN’S MEETING WITH DAVID (20:35-42)
   1. The Shooting of the Arrows (20:35-39)
   2. The Meeting of the Friends (20:40-42)
      1. Jonathan sends the lad to the city (v.40)
      2. Jonathan and David weep together (v.41)
      3. Jonathan sends David on in peace (v.42)
      4. NOTE: "the LORD be between me and thee" is the best formula for friendship that is possible on this earth.

CONCLUSION: God does not tell us to check out our friends and make sure they are the right kind of friends. But He does tell us to be the right kind of a friend to others. If we are to have friends, we are to show ourselves friendly. What makes the best kind of a friend? Are you that kind of friend to others?

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." – Proverbs 18:24

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