1 Samuel 20
1 Samuel 20 marks a critical turning point in the biblical narrative as David moves permanently from the royal court of King Saul into a life of fugitive exile. Having previously fled Saul's violent outbursts and survived an extraordinary divine intervention at Ramah, David turns to his soul companion, Prince Jonathan, to discern whether Saul's hostility is a temporary fit of madness or an unyielding royal policy. The chapter highlights the depth of biblical friendship, covenantal fidelity, and the stark contrast between human self-preservation and kingdom loyalty.
Set against the backdrop of the monthly ancient Near Eastern New Moon feast, the narrative employs a covert signal involving archery to communicate Saul’s final verdict without placing David in immediate peril. Historically, the New Moon festival combined religious offerings with royal banquet obligations, making David’s absence conspicuously noticeable. Through this crisis, Jonathan is forced to choose between allegiance to his earthly father’s dynasty and commitment to God’s anointed king.
Theologically, 1 Samuel 20 demonstrates how divine providence safeguards the promised seed even through human betrayal and tearful separations. Jonathan’s sacrificial love for David serves as a profound Old Testament expression of covenantal grace (Hebrew 'chesed'), demonstrating that true covenant obligations transcend blood ties and personal ambition. As Saul’s murderous hatred reaches its peak, the sacred covenant between David and Jonathan establishes a generational promise that will shape the future of Israel's royal house.
1. David Appeals to Jonathan
1 Samuel 20:1-8
1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “ What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life? ” 2 He said to him, “ Far from it; you will not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small, but that he discloses it to me. Why would my father hide this thing from me? It is not so.” 3 David swore moreover, and said, “ Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes; and he says, ‘Don’t let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved; ’ but truly as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 4 Then Jonathan said to David, “ Whatever your soul desires, I will even do it for you.” 5 David said to Jonathan, “ Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to dine with the king; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening. 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘ David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem, his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ 7 If he says, ‘ It is well, ’ your servant shall have peace; but if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him. 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you; but if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father? ”
Commentary
- David's Bewildered Plea: Escaping from Naioth in Ramah, David seeks out Jonathan with urgent questions regarding his innocence. His repeated queries—'What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin?'—underscore his blamelessness before King Saul. David seeks clarity on why the reigning monarch remains obsessed with taking his life despite his faithful service to the crown.
- Jonathan's Initial Disbelief: Jonathan initially finds it difficult to accept that his father intends to kill David, pointing out that Saul usually consults him on all state matters. This reveals how deception and denial can blind even close family members to the depth of a patriarch's moral downfall. Jonathan's confidence rests on past patterns, whereas David recognizes the immediate physical peril he faces.
- The Reality of Imminent Death: David confirms the seriousness of his situation under oath, explaining that Saul deliberately concealed his murderous intentions from Jonathan to spare his son grief. David's statement that 'there is but a step between me and death' captures the fragile threshold between life and execution when standing under the shadow of an unhinged ruler.
- The New Moon Plan and Covenant Duty: David proposes a test during the upcoming New Moon festival, where attendance at the king's table is obligatory. By using an excuse of attending a family sacrifice in Bethlehem, David provides a test case: if Saul accepts the excuse, peace remains; if Saul flies into a rage, evil is determined. David appeals to Jonathan on the basis of their solemn covenant before the LORD.
Insight: True covenant loyalty is tested not during moments of ease, but when standing with God's anointed requires confronting painful realities within one's own family.
2. Jonathan Renews the Covenant and Devises the Signal
1 Samuel 20:9-23
9 Jonathan said, “ Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn’t I tell you that? ” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “ Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly? ” 11 Jonathan said to David, “ Come! Let ’s go out into the field.” They both went out into the field. 12 Jonathan said to David, “ By the LORD, the God of Israel, when I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, won’t I then send to you and disclose it to you? 13 The LORD do so to Jonathan and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I don’t disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in peace. May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father. 14 You shall not only show me the loving kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I not die; 15 but you shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the surface of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with David ’s house, saying, “ The LORD will require it at the hand of David ’s enemies.” 17 Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had for him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to him, “ Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 19 When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark. 21 Behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘ Go, find the arrows! ’ If I tell the boy, ‘ Behold, the arrows are on this side of you. Take them; ’ then come, for there is peace to you and no danger, as the LORD lives. 22 But if I say this to the boy, ‘ Behold, the arrows are beyond you, ’ then go your way, for the LORD has sent you away. 23 Concerning the matter which you and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”
Commentary
- A Sacred Bond in the Open Field: Jonathan takes David into the privacy of the open field to speak away from royal spies. In this isolated setting, Jonathan invokes the LORD, the God of Israel, promising to sound out his father's intentions and faithfully inform David whether the outcome is good or evil.
- Prophetic Foresight and Covenantal Grace: Jonathan recognizes that the LORD is with David and that David will ultimately triumph over all his enemies. Displaying extraordinary humility and spiritual perception, the crown prince surrenders his own claim to the throne and asks David to extend the 'loving kindness' (Hebrew 'chesed') of the LORD to his household forever, anticipating future dynasties.
- The Archery Signal at the Stone Ezel: To safely communicate Saul's decision without raising suspicion, Jonathan devises a clever covert code. He will shoot three arrows near the landmark stone Ezel under the guise of target practice. His spoken instructions to the young attendant gathering the arrows will subtly convey the hidden message to David.
- The Arrow Code Explained: If Jonathan tells the boy that the arrows are on 'this side', David may safely return. However, if he shouts that 'the arrows are beyond you', it serves as a divine directive for David to flee immediately, sealed by the solemn declaration: 'the LORD is between you and me forever.'
Insight: Godly friendship prioritizes God's kingdom agenda above personal rank, securing protection and grace for generations to come.
3. Saul's Fury at the Royal Feast
1 Samuel 20:24-34
24 So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon had come, the king sat himself down to eat food. 25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul ’s side, but David ’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul didn’t say anything that day, for he thought, “ Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.” 27 On the next day after the new moon, the second day, David ’s place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, “ Why didn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, either yesterday, or today? ” 28 Jonathan answered Saul, “ David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘ Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king ’s table.” 30 Then Saul ’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “ You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die! ” 32 Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “ Why should he be put to death? What has he done? ” 33 Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully.
Commentary
- The Empty Seat at the King's Table: At the New Moon banquet, King Saul sits in his customary seat against the wall, surrounded by Abner and Jonathan, but David's seat remains vacant. On the first day, Saul assumes David was ceremonially unclean under Levitical law (Leviticus 15). However, when the seat remains empty on the second day, Saul demands an explanation.
- Saul's Outburst Against Jonathan: When Jonathan provides the agreed excuse regarding the family sacrifice in Bethlehem, Saul's rage explodes against his own son. Saul uses vulgar, offensive language, calling Jonathan 'the son of a perverse rebellious woman' and accusing him of choosing David to his own political ruin and shameful dishonour.
- Dyna-stic Security Versus God's Will: Saul clearly voices his motivation: 'as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom.' Saul views power strictly through dynastic control, whereas Jonathan accepts God's sovereign choice of David as king. Saul's refusal to bow to God's will drives his intense violent obsession.
- A Murderous Spear and a Prince's Grief: When Jonathan dares to defend David's innocence, Saul hurls his spear directly at his own son, proving that his madness spares no one who crosses his ambition. Jonathan leaves the banquet in fierce anger and sorrow, fasting not because of his father's insult to himself, but because Saul treated David so shamefully.
Insight: Unchecked jealousy turns political self-interest into demonic fury, blinding leaders to righteousness and destroying family relationships.
4. The Signal Delivered and the Tearful Farewell
1 Samuel 20:35-42
35 In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little boy with him. 36 He said to his boy, “ Run, find now the arrows which I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy, and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you? ” 38 Jonathan cried after the boy, “ Go fast! Hurry! Don’t delay! ” Jonathan ’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. 39 But the boy didn’t know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40 Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to him, “ Go, carry them to the city.” 41 As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept with one another, and David wept the most. 42 Jonathan said to David, “ 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.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.
Commentary
- Executing the Arrow Signal: The following morning, Jonathan walks out into the field with a young attendant as planned. He shoots an arrow over the boy's head and shouts the coded words: 'Is not the arrow beyond you? Go fast! Hurry! Don't delay!' Hidden nearby, David hears the signal and knows his life in the royal court is officially over.
- Dismissing the Boy: After the attendant collects the archer's gear and carries it back to the city, the scripture notes that the boy knew nothing of the covert exchange. Jonathan carefully manages the situation so that David's escape route remains protected from court informers.
- Humility, Grief, and Covenant Reunion: Once the servant departs, David emerges from his hiding spot south of the stone. Demonstrating profound respect for the royal prince, David bows three times before the two friends embrace, kiss, and weep aloud together, with David weeping most bitterly over the loss of his home, wife, and companion.
- Parting in Peace Under God's Name: Jonathan speaks final words of blessing over David: 'Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the LORD’s name.' Their physical separation marks the beginning of David's wilderness exile, yet their shared covenant ensures an unbroken bond under the eternal watch of God.
Insight: Even when obedience to God's path brings deep personal grief and painful farewells, His peace sustains those united in covenant faith.
Theological Significance
- Covenant Loyalty (Chesed): The bond between Jonathan and David highlights the biblical concept of 'chesed'—steadfast, covenant love that remains committed regardless of personal cost, political pressure, or dynastic loss.
- Divine Sovereignty over Human Dynasties: The narrative illustrates that human political ambition cannot overturn divine election. Saul attempts to secure his kingdom through violence, yet Jonathan submits joyfully to God's choice of David as Israel's true king.
- The Depravity of Unrepentant Sin: King Saul's spiralling rage demonstrates the corrupting power of unchecked jealousy, legalism, and idolatry of power, which ultimately fractures his mind, his family, and his kingdom.
- Preservation of the Anointed Seed: God uses human friendship and sacrificial risk to protect David from death, preserving the Davidic line through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would eventually enter human history.
Major Themes
- Covenant Faithfulness
- Selfless Friendship vs. Selfish Ambition
- Submission to God's Sovereign Will
- The Pain of Exile and Departure
- Persecution of God's Anointed
- Providential Protection
Practical Applications
- Demonstrating Uncompromising Loyalty in Friendship: Believers must cultivate deep, covenantal relationships grounded in the Lord, standing by brothers and sisters in Christ even when doing so incurs social, personal, or financial risk.
- Surrendering Personal Ambition to God's Plan: Like Jonathan, Christians should readily yield their own preferences, titles, or privileges when God reveals His calling for others, rejoicing in the exaltation of Christ's kingdom above personal honor.
- Guarding Against Jealousy and Resentment: Saul's tragic descent warns leaders and believers to confront early signs of envy and insecurity before these sins undermine character, ruin family harmony, and bring spiritual judgment.
- Trusting Divine Protection in Times of Exile: When facing unfair treatment, exile, or hardship for doing what is right, believers can trust that God provides creative avenues of escape and faithful companions to sustain them through trials.
Final Insight
1 Samuel 20 stands as an enduring monument to sacrificial love and covenant integrity amidst the dark realities of human hostility. In this chapter, Prince Jonathan intentionally surrenders his earthly crown out of devotion to God's anointed king, choosing righteous friendship over corrupt royal dynastic power. Though the chapter ends with bitter tears and a painful departure into the wilderness, the covenant sworn between David and Jonathan remains unbreakable under God's eternal watch. For modern believers, Jonathan's selfless loyalty offers a glowing picture of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Covenant Brother, who laid down His royal glory to protect, save, and establish us as heirs of His heavenly kingdom.
