Day 43 – 1 Samuel 20:7-15

Scripture Review

1 Samuel 20:7-15

"If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him."

(1 Samuel 20:7)

I see David sets up a simple test. If Saul says, "It is well," then David can breathe, "thy servant shall have peace." The word "peace" is not just quiet feelings. It is safety. It is welfare. David names the other outcome as "very wroth." That is anger that burns hot. This teaches me that sometimes the truth shows up in a reaction. Saul's response will reveal Saul's heart.

"Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?"

(1 Samuel 20:8)

David says, "deal kindly with thy servant," because this is not just friendship it is "a covenant of the LORD." Their bond is made with God as witness, not just emotions. I see David's humility and seriousness. "If there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself." David is not asking Jonathan to protect sin. He is saying, "If I'm guilty, don't cover it. Deal with it." A heart after God, wants a clean conscience, not a secret life.

"And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?"

(1 Samuel 20:9)

Jonathan refuses the idea that David has guilt worthy of death, "Far be it from thee." He is standing with David. His honesty is on full display concerning if he knew evil was determined, "then would not I tell it thee?" That is loyalty with truth. Jonathan is not playing both sides. God values honesty in relationships. Jonathan is not a flatterer. He is a faithful friend who will speak when the truth is hard.

"Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?"

(1 Samuel 20:10)

David is thinking ahead. He knows Saul can be unpredictable and harsh, "answer thee roughly." David is being realistic. David's fear is not just "Saul might be mad." It's "How will I know for sure?" David wants clarity, not confusion.

"And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field."

(1 Samuel 20:11)

"Come...go out into the field." They need a place to speak freely and plan wisely. "Both of them." Jonathan is not sending David away alone. He walks with him. One take away from this is to stop offering "good wishes" when what's needed is faithful support.

"And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;"

(1 Samuel 20:12)

Jonathan brings God into it directly: "O LORD God of Israel." This is not a casual plan. This is a God-witnessed oath. A heart after God does not leave God out of decisions that involve life and death. The word "sounded," reveals Jonathan is going to test and probe his father's heart carefully, not recklessly.

"The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father."

(1 Samuel 20:13)

Jonathan binds himself with a strong oath: "The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan." He is putting his own life under God's discipline if he fails. I also see Jonathan's courage if Saul means evil, "then I will shew it thee." He will not hide the truth even if it costs him. And he will "send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace." He wants David safe. "and the LORD be with thee." Jonathan recognizes what matters most. David's safety is not only distance from Saul. It is the presence of God.

"And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:"

(1 Samuel 20:14)

I see Jonathan asks for "the kindness of the LORD." This is not mere politeness. Jonathan is thinking about risk too, "that I die not." Helping David could cost Jonathan. He is not pretending it's safe.

"But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth."

(1 Samuel 20:15)

Jonathan looks beyond the moment, "from my house for ever." Jonathan is asking David to remember his family even after everything changes. He says not to "cut off...kindness," even when the LORD has "cut off the enemies of David."God's judgment can be severe, but God's covenant kindness is meant to endure.

God does not only win battles. He keeps promises. It keeps kindness alive even after power shifts. David is learning how to live with danger without becoming reckless or bitter. Jonathan is learning how to love loyally without loving blindly. Their covenant sits right in the middle of fear, and it still points to God's rule over all of it.