“So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table. Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For 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. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame” (1 Samuel 20:24-34).
Introduction
The plan was put into action. Would Saul prove himself honourable and thus show that David’s fear were unfounded? Unfortunately Jonathan would learn that his father’s wickedness knew no boundary.
The observance
The Feast of the New Moon was not ordained of God, but it became a traditional religious custom in the Middle East. The New Moon Feast was a joyous occasion when people would sing, dance and blow the ram’s horn. “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day” (Psalm 81:3). It seems that a sin offering was made during this three day feast.
King Saul observed the feast, but it is highly doubtful that he would have had any time for honouring and worshipping the Lord. Wickedness had taken root in his heart which blinded him to the significance of the celebration. Therefore his attendance at the feast was a hypocritical sham. “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” (Proverbs 21:27). He was simply doing what many politicians and leaders do when there are religious ceremonies being acted out. “At all times there are princes who take part thus in the public worship of God, which, in the narrow circle of their likeminded associates, they perhaps make sport of” (Joseph Parker).
The same thing is happening in churches all over the world. People make a big deal about being in church, but their heart is not in it. Instead of holiness there is hypocrisy. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5).
The outrage
Saul did not seem to mind that David did not attend the first day of the feast, presuming that he was not ceremonially clean. This reveal just how hypocritical the king was, for he could not see the uncleanness of his own heart. It is similar to the Pharisees, who thought of themselves as holy, yet they were planning the death of Jesus. “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” (John 7:19). When David did not show up on the second day Saul’s anger got the better of him. While he was boiling over with wrath, he revealed what was really in his heart with regards to David. As soon as Saul said that David must be put to death, Jonathan realised that David’s fears were not imaginary.
Jonathan tried to calm things down, but he used deception which Saul clearly saw through. This brought his wrath down upon Jonathan too. Saul swore at and cursed his son the vilest possible way. In the Middle East they still insult people by calling their mothers terrible names, and not just there, it has also an Americanism used to belittle others. Saul was actually degrading the character of his own wife as he poured scorn on Jonathan and David.
Saul hated Jonathan for choosing David to be his best friend. It seems that Saul fully understood the significance of the friendship and that Jonathan was in favour of David becoming the next king. This is the reason why he tried to kill Jonathan. Now Jonathan understood how David had felt when he received the same treatment from Saul. Any lingering doubts about David’s fears instantly disappeared as the javelin whizzed towards him. “This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy monarch was transported” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary).
The outcome
Jonathan rose up in opposition to Saul and refused to stay in his presence any longer. By doing this he was sending a poignant sign to his father, for he had no right to leave the king’s table without permission, so he was showing that he had rejected his authority. He was also showing that he intended to align himself fully with David. This was a huge sacrifice for Jonathan.
Conclusion
Jonathan knew that his father had further cursed his own life by insulting David and ordering his death. “He that is cruel troubleth his own flesh” (Proverbs 11:17). He was not going to have any part with someone who wickedly rejected the plan of God. He did not grieve that his own name and the name of his mother was dragged through the mud, but that David’s honour had been ridiculed and slandered. How few there are today who truly honour the name of the Lord, yet get uptight then they receive an insult!
© 24/3/2009