Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

David was about to start a persecution that lasted somewhere around thirteen to sixteen YEARS – based on probably age when he slew Goliath and age at which he was finally crowned king of Israel. Persecution can be how people talk about you. How you are treated. And it can be an active physical thing. David experienced all of them, but he hung onto the promises of the Lord to get him through. At one point he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6) to regain his strength and to reject dismay. And that is in the Old Covenant. We have better promises founded on a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6), and we can simply CHOOSE not to be dismayed, fearful, depressed, or anxious (John 14:1) by CHOOSING to engage the Fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:9).

It was just shy of a year since Goliath had been slain. David had been with Saul continually and married his youngest daughter, Michal. Saul had not wanted David where he couldn’t get at him, so the marriage was a good idea to him. Also, Michal had ties to idolatrous practices (household gods – which also could be inheritance symbols, but were often used for divination), so Saul figured it was only a matter of time before she snagged him (1 Samuel 18:21). There is no quicker way to kill an anointing than by worshipping an idol. Either way, Saul figured he’d win. He didn’t count on Michal’s love being a REAL love, but it was. She risked her life for David. Saul’s hatred blinded him. Saul had already tried to kill David once (1 Samuel 18:10-11). By marrying David into the family, though, Saul had officially placed David inside the line of succession. If all the other males of Saul’s line died, David had a right to assume the throne because of his wife. Saul probably wasn’t looking at it that way, but he had given David legal right of inheritance with his actions. God turned EVERYTHING Saul meant for evil to good (Romans 8:28).

Now, Saul spoke to his son Jonathan and all his servants and encouraged them to kill David. Jonathan, however, was good friends with David. He liked the kind of man David was becoming and also saw that the Lord was with David. He loved David more than himself, willingly giving up the throne (didn’t fight for his right to be the next king based on bloodline). Jonathan encouraged David to hide until Jonathan could do something. What Jonathan did was to engage Saul in a soul-searching conversation about David. It got through to Saul and Saul agreed that Jonathan was right. He swore not to kill or harm David.

But the Philistines attacked again and David did well against them. Jealousy rose up inside Saul again. When David was next playing music to give the fiery conscience of Saul, Saul tried to pin David to the wall with a spear. David ran home. Saul sent men to watch the house and grab him when he left. But Michal urged David to flee and helped him out the window and down the wall. Then she took the household idol (often masks moulded from the faces of deceased ancestors said to speak to their descendants) and hid it in the bed with clothes and a goat hair rug. In the morning, no David. So Saul’s men banged on the door. Michal said David was sick in bed. Saul told them to bring David bed and all to him. They went back and discovered their error. Saul was furious. He didn’t kill Michal for helping David, but he gave her to a new husband: Phalti, the son of Laish – which was probably worse.

David fled and went to Samuel at Ramah. Samuel was in his late eighties to early nineties at this point. He had had almost nothing to do with David. Whether because he wasn’t drawn to or because of fear of Saul, I don’t know. An argument can be made either way. They certainly knew each other, but didn’t get chummy. David went to him at Ramah, told him everything that was happening and the two of them left (from where Saul would easily find them) and went to Naioth – within 5km. However, news got back to Saul anyway as to where David was hiding.

Saul sent men to collect David and bring him back. When they arrived, they found Samuel standing as leader over a group of prophets prophesying (which included singing praises to God – 1 Samuel 10:10). The Spirit of God came over them and they joined in. News came to Saul, so he sent another group. Same thing happened. And then happened a third time. And then SAUL came to show them how it was done, and it happened to him too. It doesn’t pay to try and overcome God. Never works (Acts 5:39).

“Then Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father had decided to kill David.” (1 Samuel 20:33)

David took the opportunity to exit stage right. He went back to Jonathan (it would be safe to find Jonathan when Saul was at Naioth. David’s big question was: what had he done? In what way had he sinned against Saul that Saul wanted to kill David? Jonathan waved him off. He was convinced that his father would NEVER want to do something like that. And even if he did, he wouldn’t do it without telling Jonathan, his eldest son! David tried to explain his thinking. He reasoned that since Saul knew that he and Jonathan were friends that he wouldn’t tell Jonathan his plans. So what to do? They couldn’t both be right.

They made a plan. Since there was a New Moon festival, they made up a family sacrifice back in Bethlehem where David was from. They’d pretend Jonathan gave David permission to go. When Saul noticed David was gone and asked where he was, Jonathan would give the fake excuse. If Saul was cool, David was wrong. If Saul was angry, Jonathan was wrong. After Jonathan knew one way or another, he’d come out to the field to do target practise with his armour bearer. If he shot arrows on the close side of David, then David would know he was safe. If he shot arrows far behind, David would know he was in danger.

They made oaths to each other. Oaths that nothing would be held back. That only truth would be told, no matter how painful. That they would be true in the sight of God with one another. Jonathan called for God to keep this covenant of friendship between them forever – there would be no taking backsies. So David hid, and Jonathan prepared for the feast.

First day, no problem. David wasn’t there, but Saul assumed he was unclean for some reason – fighting and being around the dead, for example. But on the second day, David’s seat was still empty. He would only have been unclean until the evening of the first day. There was no reason not to be there. Saul asked Jonathan where David was. Out came the fake excuse. Saul was TICKED. He called him names – and insulted his mother – in front of everyone. He called Jonathan shameful, choosing to side with the one who was trying to steal the throne from Saul and Jonathan (a lie). Saul demanded that Jonathan bring David so that Saul could kill him. Jonathan straight up asked why. What had David done?

Saul responded with a spear. He missed, but he clearly was willing to kill his own eldest son – a godly, good, and loyal man – to get at David. Jonathan was furious. He rose from the table and left the feast. He wasn’t angry at the shame and insults from his father, but at the way his friend was being treated. Even though Jonathan never rebelled against his father, this must have seriously strained their relationship.

Next morning, Jonathan and his armour bearer went out into the fields. Jonathan shot some arrows far behind David and called that out. David knew: his life was in danger. When he was done, he sent the boy away – a boy who could tell anyone Jonathan had NOT met with David. But as soon as the boy went away, David came out and the two friends wept with sorrow over the situation. Jonathan blessed David and told him to go in peace. But he asked for an oath. When David ascended the throne, he would not seek the death of Jonathan or any of Jonathan’s offspring. David agreed – and kept it for his whole life. David took off and Jonathan returned to the city.

Summary

Key Players: God, David, Michal, Saul, Jonathan, Samuel

Key Themes: Covenant, Jealousy, Loyalty

Key Verse(s): 1 Samuel 19:1-3, 10, 11-17; 20:1-2, 18-23, 42