Day 45 – 1 Samuel 20:18-23

Scripture Review

1 Samuel 20:18-23

"Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty."

(1 Samuel 20:18)

This is a public feast, a set time, and David's absence will stand out. Notice, "thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty." David had a known place. He belonged at the table. That empty seat would speak before David ever said a word. Absence can reveal what presence once covered.

"And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel."

(1 Samuel 20:19)

David is not to rush the matter. He must wait. Then, "go down quickly." There was a time to stay hidden, and there is a time to move fast. He needed both patience and readiness. This gives David is given a clear landmark. Notice the fixed place, "the stone Ezel."

"And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark."

(1 Samuel 20:20)

Jonathan is very wise here. He is making the signal look ordinary, "as though I shot at a mark." He is protecting David without drawing attention.

"And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth."

(1 Samuel 20:21)

The first possible message from Jonathan, "the arrows are on this side of thee." That would mean safety. This is solemn assurance. Peace here means more than calm feelings. It means David may come out without harm.

"But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away." (1 Samuel 20:22)

The second message is painful, "the arrows are beyond thee." That means David cannot return. He must leave at once. Jonathan does not merely say, "My father has driven you away." He says, "the LORD hath sent thee away." That does not excuse Saul's sin, but it does show God's rule over David's path.

Even in a hard departure, the Lord is still over it. Sometimes you must leave a place you love because the Lord has another road for you. What a challenge! I must submit when God's answer is not "come," but "go thy way."

"And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever."

(1 Samuel 20:23)

The signal is important, but the relationship under God is even greater. Jonathan says, "the LORD be between thee and me for ever." The Lord is witness, guard, and judge over what both of them have promised. Their friendship is not built only on feelings. It is laid before God.

Distance may come. Danger may come. Separation may come. But what is truly set before the Lord is not shallow.