Day 47 – 1 Samuel 20:41-42

Scripture Review

1 Samuel 20:41-42

"And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded."

(1 Samuel 20:41)

David came out of his hiding place the moment the lad was gone. He fell on his face to the ground and bowed himself three times before Jonathan. This showed deep reverence for Jonathan as the king's son and his faithful friend. Then they kissed one another and wept one with another until David exceeded. David's grief went beyond Jonathan's because he was losing far more. He was leaving his wife, his relatives, his country, and above all the altars of God and the sweet ordinances of worship. Jonathan was returning to his family and friends; David was going out into the wilderness alone.

"And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city."

(1 Samuel 20:42)

I notice Jonathan speaking words of peace and comfort. He points them both back to the solemn covenant they had sworn in the name of the LORD: "The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever." With that sure promise David arose and departed into safety. Jonathan returned to the city out of family duty to his father.

This farewell makes me think of one of the hardest goodbyes I ever had, when I deployed to Iraq. It does not compare to David and Jonathan exactly, but it reminds me of the state of mind I was in. I wanted to be strong, but I was also scared of what I would soon face. I knew the Lord was with me, but I still missed my mother, my family, and my friends. I wanted them to be proud of me, and I wanted to make it back to them alive. That helps me feel the weight of this goodbye. David's tears do not show weakness to me here. They show the deep cost of leaving people you love while walking into an uncertain road with only the Lord to hold you steady.

But, "What a friend we have in Jesus!" He carried me through the deployment!

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Rejoice, for God will never leave nor forsake you!