“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past” (1 Samuel 19:1-7).
Introduction
Even though David has married Saul’s daughter, nothing is going too well for him. He still has to look over his shoulder to make sure that nobody has been sent to assassinate him. The only real friend that David had was Jonathan.
The command
King Saul decreed that David was to be put to death. By issuing this decree he was proving just how evil he had become, for now he was no longer hiding his intentions from others. From that moment everyone in the royal household was obligated to kill the one who was the saviour of Israel. But when Satan has his man working against God’s plan, we can be sure that the Lord has someone to step into the scene to destroy the works of the devil. The religious leaders of Paul’s day had issued a decree for his death, but God had someone to assist him too. “And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul” (Acts 23:16).
Jonathan encouraged David to go into hiding until he had tried to sort out the problem. This was not without a risk on Jonathan’s part. Saul was mentally unbalanced, paranoid and suspicious of everyone. Since he was disobeying his father’s ruling, he could be executed himself. Scripture tells us that Saul was willing to put his son to death for a much lesser crime. “For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son … And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.” (1 Samuel 14:39, 44-45). Also Jonathan was aligning himself with the person Saul thought to be his rival.
The citation
Jonathan approached his father very carefully and with well-chosen words. He knew very well that the king hated David, but calmly he reminded him of all that had been accomplished through David. He described David as loyal, trustworthy, brave and guiltless. Somehow he got through to him and was able, at least for the moment, to reverse the death sentence against David. Saul made a vow in God’s name never to seek David’s death again. “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth” (Numbers 30:2). We know with hindsight that the king was taking the name of the Lord in vain. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7) … “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:12).
It is a dangerous thing to use God’s name if we make promises and vows. As believers we are warned not to do it because it is more than likely that we will go back on our word. “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:34-37) … “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation” (James 5:12).
Conclusion
David was again free to enter the presence of the king again, but for how long? No doubt he was ever watchful of Saul’s disposition and temperament. “Do not get too excited about the promotions you receive from the world or get too disappointed about those you do not receive. They are often more a peril than a blessing” (John G. Butler).
© 2/3/2009