Boyd's Commentary - R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

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3 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. 3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you.” 4 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: 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you; 5 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? 5 for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?” 6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. 6 Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.” 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past. 7 So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

      MAIN THOUGHT: 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. (1 Samuel 19:4, KJV)

       LESSON SETTING

       Time: 1000 B.C.

       Place: Gibeah

       LESSON OUTLINE

       I. Saul’s Plot to Assassinate David (1 Samuel 19:1–5)

       II. Jonathan’s Intervention for David’s Life (1 Samuel 19:5–7)

      UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

      Although families are important, family dysfunction can skew our priorities and lead us to ruin. Is there a greater priority than family? Jonathan opposed the unjust intentions of his father, King Saul, in order to offer support and protection to David.

      INTRODUCTION

      A true friend is a special gift from God, not a social media status profile on Facebook. In today’s society, it’s hard for some to tell the difference. The definition of friendship has nuanced meanings for different people. A friend for some is one who always will agree with, affirm, validate, and condone. They are loyal companions who never will question but only celebrate. Another word for these types of friends is sycophants.

      A true friend, in stark contrast, is one who proves their loyalty in love, truth, sacrifice, and courage. They are called by God and equipped to help bring out the best in us. Part of how true friends demonstrate such devotion is by knowing when and how to intervene in our lives, even when we don’t want them to.

      An intervening friend is one who is quick to pray for us, one who speaks up for us when we can’t ourselves, an individual who’s willing to sacrifice for our well-being. An intervening friend is not just a true friend but someone who reflects the character of Christ. Jonathan was such a friend to David.

      After the slaying of Goliath, David’s reputation of being a courageous warrior began to surpass Saul’s. Needless to say, it became embarrassing to the king. Being consumed by fear, jealousy, and subsequent rage over David’s budding success and acclaim from the kingdom inhabitants, Saul sought to take his life.

      Today’s lesson explores the way Jonathan’s loyalty to David was in tension with his loyalty to his father and was tested. Despite the obvious pressure he was under, Jonathan proved to be a true friend to David when he intervened. Jonathan loved and was devoted to his friend. He proved it even above loyalty to his own father.

      EXPOSITION

       I. SAUL’S PLOT TO ASSASSINATE DAVID (1 SAMUEL 19:1–5)

      Chapter 19 opens with Saul’s growing efforts to eliminate David. Although he initially loved David (1 Sam. 16:21), Saul eventually came to fear his growing reputation (18:7–9). Public adoration of David’s victory over Goliath became louder than their recognition for Saul their king. His pride couldn’t withstand the perceived rejection. His jealously led to the urgent appeal for David’s death. Saul’s hostility began with a murderous thought, then progressed to awkward homicidal acts hidden from public view (18:11). He had David assigned to military tasks virtually certain to bring about his demise (18:13, 17, 25). Saul then crafted a wider and more artful plan that involved public lies (18:22) and a small circle of people, including servants and a daughter. The circle of involvement widened when this effort failed. Dropping all ruses, Saul then spoke openly and bluntly to Jonathan and all his servants about killing David (19:1).

      The author’s statement that Jonathan delighted greatly in David was meant to emphasize the deep bond of friendship he and David had forged. It also highlighted the implied tension of loyalties between Jonathan and his father and his friend. This also pointed to the growing power base David was creating. Jonathan was not the only person in Saul’s family who was enamored with David. Michal, Saul’s daughter, also loved David so much that she helped him escape the wrath of the king (19:8–17). David’s power base was what the king feared, if not for his sake, for the sake of his legacy and possible dynasty. Though David was innocent in that he had done no harm to Saul, Saul understood David was a threat to a familial dynasty and for that reason must be eliminated. At this juncture, it is important to understand Saul was a powerful and shrewd politician rather than a stark raving mad man. His actions, while unjust, were no different than Solomon’s when he came to power. Solomon eliminated all political threats upon his ascension to the throne, including his own brother (1 Kings 2:13–46). Though Saul knew of Jonathan’s love for David, he never would have imagined his son would put the well-being of his friend over the wealth and power of becoming the monarch. Quite simply, this is what was done to consolidate power. In chapter 19, Saul attempted to kill David on four separate occasions. This was just the first.

      Saul, while acting shrewdly, was not aware of the happenings in his own house. He knew David was a threat, but not to what degree. Though he knew Jonathan loved David, it does not seem he was aware they had made a covenant with one another. Moreover, he did not know Jonathan had given David his royal vestments to solidify that covenant (1 Sam. 18:3–4). Jonathan’s gifting of vestments to David was symbolic of his releasing all claims to royal succession. Thus, as Jonathan acted to protect David, he not only acted as friend but as a man of integrity. He made a covenant and then kept it. He stood in stark contrast to his father who broke

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