1 Sam 18–20 · Read 10 min · think and write 15 min
In the last lesson, David killed Goliath, and “there was no sword in David’s hand” (1 Sam 17:50). In this lesson he comes home from the battle, and two things are waiting for him: one man’s love, and another man’s jealousy.
1When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more.
3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David with his clothing, even including his sword, his bow, and his sash.
5David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. It was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
6As they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
7The women sang to one another as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
8Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?”
9Saul watched David from that day and forward.
The next day Saul had his spear in his hand and threw it, meaning to pin David to the wall; David escaped from him twice. (vv. 10–11)
12Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.
13Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
14David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
15When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.
16But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.
Saul gave his daughter Michal to David as his wife, while hoping the Philistines would kill him. (vv. 17–30)
Saul told Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Jonathan spoke up for David, and Saul swore not to kill him; later Saul threw his spear at David again, and David fled. (1 Sam 19)
David came to Jonathan. In the field the two renewed their covenant and agreed on a signal with arrows. At the king’s table Saul grew angry with Jonathan and even threw his spear at him. Jonathan shot the arrows to tell David: go. The two parted in tears. (1 Sam 20)
To read it all: 1 Samuel 18–20.
Love gives first. When David finished speaking to Saul, “the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David” (v. 1). The covenant comes from Jonathan’s love: “because he loved him as his own soul” (v. 3). Then Jonathan gives David his robe, his clothing, his sword, his bow and his sash (v. 4). These verses say nothing about David giving Jonathan anything. The gifts all go one way.
A song. The women sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (v. 7). Saul hears it and does the math: “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?” (v. 8). The passage says, “Saul watched David from that day and forward” (v. 9). One song changed the way one man looked at another.
What Saul fears. “Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul” (v. 12). Saul sends David away from his presence, but “David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him” (v. 14). Then the passage says Saul “stood in awe of him” (v. 15). The harder he tries to push David away, the clearer it becomes whom the LORD is with.
One man, three ways of seeing. In the same chapter, Saul “watched David from that day and forward” (v. 9); “all Israel and Judah loved David” (v. 16); and Jonathan “loved him as his own soul” (v. 3). David is the same David. What differs is the one looking at him.
Speaking up for a friend. When Saul wants to kill David, Jonathan tells his father, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you” (1 Sam 19:4). Later, at the king’s table, Jonathan asks, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” (1 Sam 20:32). Saul’s answer: he “cast his spear at him to strike him” (1 Sam 20:33). Speaking up for his friend put Jonathan’s own life at risk.
A covenant that looks ahead. Jonathan asks David, “You shall not only show me the loving kindness of the LORD while I still live” (1 Sam 20:14), and then, “You shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever” (1 Sam 20:15). So “Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house” (1 Sam 20:16). This covenant is not only about the two of them now; it reaches into the future of both families. Years later, when David is king, he asks, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Sam 9:1).
Parting. An arrow shot beyond the boy is the signal for David to go (1 Sam 20:22, 36–37). Jonathan’s last words are, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the LORD’s name, saying, ‘The LORD is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever’” (1 Sam 20:42). David leaves, and Jonathan goes back into the city. The two are apart, but the covenant holds.
By Saul’s own words, as long as David lives, Jonathan “will not be established, nor will your kingdom” (1 Sam 20:31). Even so, Jonathan stands with David and says to him, “May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father” (1 Sam 20:13).
The king’s own son says it out loud: the LORD is now with David. Even inside the royal house, someone saw that God had chosen David.
When someone else does better than you, this is often where the road splits. Saul chose to watch David with suspicion. Jonathan chose to make a covenant.
This week: Think of someone who has recently been praised in a way that made you a little uncomfortable. Find a chance this week to praise them yourself — and mean it.
Scripture: World English Bible.