I Samuel 21:1-9

Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?

And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread, if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. And David answered the priest, and said unto him, of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul .And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, there is none like that; give it me. (KJV)

As I study these verses I go to Matthew 12:3,4 “But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?” which were the verses that Jesus used to defend his disciples plucking grain to eat on the Sabbath, since they were hunger. I believe Jesus used this example for two reasons: one to illustrate how Jesus was like David at this time the rejected king and second how it was merciful to take care of the needs of those around you more than some simple religious regulations. Here in Matthew Jesus affirm that Ahimelech did the right thing in giving David the bread.

These verses reveals how the whole kingdom at this time knew that David was now considered an enemy of Saul. Even the priest for the nation was afraid at David’s presence. In the last two chapters of I Samuel David has been on the run and hiding from Saul. The prophet Samuel could not offer protection for David, but only offer him time to escape. Jonathan the king’s son could not intercedes for David, but only proved that there was no longer a chance for David’s return And now at last the high priest of the nation could not offer protection to David. David now was on the run and had to leave everything behind.

David only made three request from Ahimelech in these verses: to let no man know of his visit, five loaves of bread, and a weapon (it was the sword of Goliath the only weapon there). By keeping the matter secret it will cost Ahimelech and his family their life. The five loaves of bread given to David probably reveal that David only had a few of his servants with him. And the need of a weapon reveals that David realized that there was now a price on his head and he needed to protect himself and those around him.

In these verses Doeg the Edomite, the chiefest of the herdsmen that belong to Saul was here detained of the Lord. In I Samuel 20:26 one of the reasons that Saul believed that David was not presence for the feast of the new moon was that he was unclean. This was probably the reason that Doeg was detained here before the priest was because he was uncleaned and was making a sacrifice as prescribe by the law. As part of Saul’s staff he was probably an Edomite that had proselyted to the Jewish religion to obtain this position. Later on in the next chapter Doeg’s true nature will be shown as he is the one that slays the priest and his family.

This marks the beginning of David’s final exit from the presence of Saul. David is leaving behind his wife, his career as Saul’s chief warrior; and everything else that he had achieved since serving Saul. Starting over is not easy; however, starting over while leaving everything behind and running for your life is a different story. We often have to start over in life from a broken relationship or a lost career, but this does not compare to what David had to face. However, there are some in life that might face some of the experiences of the type of separation that David experienced. The psalms are a great place to turn for those facing life changing events in their life. By studying the psalms, a person can learn how a man facing these issues by self-examination become a person after God’s own heart.

I Samuel 20:34-42

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.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.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. (KJV)

This will not be the last meeting between David and Jonathan, it probably was the most emotional meeting that they will have. Jonathan was grieved because of the shame Saul had placed on David. The conversation about David absence between Saul and Jonathan at the new moon feast, probably happened in front of all the top officials of Saul’s kingdom. A lot of these officials probably had a very high respect for David and his leadership as a military leader. This conversation reveals Saul’s true intent to kill David, because he viewed David as a threat to take over the throne of the kingdom. David now becomes an enemy of the state. Jonathan knew that this was not the truth and realized that David supported his father probably more than anyone else, even to the point of endangering his life in all the battles he had fought for the nation and Saul. In fierce anger was the words that described Jonathan’s feeling at this time.

After Jonathan shot the arrows and his message to the little lad let David know it was not safe to return. After the lad left and it was safe David came out of hiding and meet and wept with Jonathan. After this meeting Jonathan told David to go in peace and to remember the oath that had sworn to each other “The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.”

Jonathan is one of those characters in the Bible that God has given to us as an example of a hero that had to make a great sacrifice in his life. Even as the king’s son who should be the next king, he realized that it was David who God had chosen to be the next king. As we read in these verses after he send David away, he went back to serve his father, even when he knew he was wrong. Sometimes God places us in situations in which we are not comfortable to be in; however, we must stand up for the truth even as Jonathan did in the presence of his father. Jonathan is a great example of Romans 12:17-19 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” One of the advantages of old age is that you can look by on the past and see examples of when you took a situation into our hands verses when you turned that situation over to God to handle. I will be the first to tell anyone that God handles situations a lot better than I ever did. Both David and Jonathan were great examples of turning over situations to God. Jonathan was one of those gifts that God gave David to protect him from Saul. Jonathan higher calling was to his God and his nation which meant serving his father. We all must make sure we are following God’s calling and not the calling we desire.

Saul chose to be king of his kingdom, not God’s kingdom. Jonathan chose to serve the king that God had put in place, which at this time was Saul his father. But he knew that the future king was to be David. Just as Israel realized in I Samuel 12:19-24 that they had sin by asking for a king, Jonathan probably realized the truth of this mistake. However, Saul was king and Jonathan as his son must serve him. But Jonathan also fears the Lord and serve him in truth with all his heart and this was why he protected David.

I Samuel 20:18-33

Then Jonathan said to David, Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.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.And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.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.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.And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever.So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. (KJV)

In these verses Jonathan sets up the way he will communicate to David. He probably realized that Saul will not only be looking for David, but after Jonathan reveals that David had communicated with him he himself would be watched. So the message of the arrows was a way to communicate with David whether to come back you will be welcome, or be careful and depart for you are a wanted man. David had realized how deep Saul’s desire was to kill him. Samuel probably warned David about Saul’s past behaviors and advised him how to avoid his wrath. Jonathan was now entering the same relationship with his father as David had endure over the past few years.

These verses also reveal that Saul probably realized that David was the fulfillment of prophecy of I Samuel 15:28 “And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than you. ” (KJV) His desire to pass his kingdom down to his son could not happen as long as David was alive. And now Saul realized that his our son Jonathan would support David as king, and just the knowledge of this enraged Saul to the point he attempted to kill his our son. Saul was the king that Israel desire to be like other nations. The longer Saul reign the more he became like the kings of the other nations around Israel. Saul was given the opportunity to follow the way of the Lord; however, his answer to Samuel after Samuel told him his kingdom was to be taken away was to force Samuel to honor me now before the elders of Israel. Saul looked at the kingdom no longer as the Lord’s, but his.

Sin has a way of blinding our eye sight to God’s way. The words to the third stanza of the song “Come Thou Fount” should reminds us of the importance of walking in God’s way.

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.

Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

As we hid God’s word in our heart, we should remember that the believer’s walk is a daily walk, and not just a Sunday activity. If our world becomes all about ME, ME, ME, then the things of God will slow pass away as his presence will no longer be in our life.

I Samuel 20:9-17

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?Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.And Jonathan said unto David, O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about tomorrow 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;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. And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. (KJV)

These verses reflect the last time David would try to return to Saul’s court. Jonathan reveals that he believe that his father would not hide anything about David from him. However, he assured to David he sound his father out directly on Saul’s true desires about David’s future. After this promise Jonathan and David went out into the field and discuss their future relationship.

These verses reveal Jonathan’s deep convictions of David’s as the future king. Jonathan and David had developed a deep relationship during David’s time in Saul’s court. David was Jonathan’s brother-in-law and had a seat a Saul’s table for the new moon feasts. Here is the verses Jonathan and David made a covenant with each other to show kindness to their respective houses. In II Samuel 9 we see David fulfill promise to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.

I Samuel 20:1-8

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. 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. 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? (KJV)

After studying the scriptures for over fifty years I realize that our own live experiences can open up the scriptures to a deeper understanding than we studied them as a young student. As I approach this study of David’s life I can now understanding the deep feelings that he expresses in his writings of the Psalms. As I study David’s live I must realize that he had deep family relationships as well as deep relationships with those in the court of Saul. Having work for twenty years for one retail company, and then twenty eight years for a school system as a support person for all the schools and working at the same time for thirteen years at another retail company I realized that you develop wonderful relationships with the people around you. I see this in David’s life.

Here in I Samuel 20 we see David fled Naioth in Ramah and returned back to Gibeah, Saul’s home base as well as David’s home. In these verses David has returned to try to understand why Saul was so intent on killing him. He meet with Jonathan to expressed his deep fear of Saul’s continual attempts on his life. Jonathan assure David that Saul would not do anything great or small without letting him know. Jonathan was sure that his father does not hide anything from him. However, David told Jonathan that Saul knew Saul wanted him dead, but hide this from Jonathan. Jonathan then agreed with David to test his father, by Jonathan supporting and giving his permission to miss the feast of the new moon. If Saul agree than all is well but if he s wroth then David’s life is in danger. This test will determine David’s future in Saul’s court.

David was probably not in Ramah when Saul was there but had return home since Saul was away. David probably heard about Saul’s behavior at Ramah but, did not trust a change of heart in his desire to kill him when Saul returned to Gibeah. So, David was probably come home to put things in order just in case he would have to leave and start his life over. Being unsure of the future can make a person uneasy around others even those to whom he has a close relationship. David must had been concern about his future at this time since we know that from this point on he would be running and hiding from Saul.

Samuel 19:18-24

So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? (KJV)

This flight of David from Saul was the beginning of his wilderness journey that would test David’s faith in God. From this point on David will be an enemy of the state as he will be hunted down by Saul and his servants. David’s first stop in this journey was to see Samuel. Samuel , an old man at this time, was still respected as a man of God by the nation of Israel. David related to Samuel all that Saul had done to him during this meeting. After this David and Samuel lived at Naioth, which was probably Samuel’s school for training prophets. David was probably refreshed by the daily conversations with Samuel at this time. Just the history that Samuel could have shared with David during his seventy plus years could have been a great inspiration to David. He had witness the nation on Israel move from twevle tribes to a kingdom during hs life time. . I would like to compare this time that David spent with Samuel to the six years I spent at Tennessee Temple University studying under some of the best Bible teachers at that time.

We are not told how long David spent here with Samuel; however, Saul was told that David was abiding there with Samuel. All three groups of messengers that Saul sent there to take David started to prophesying as soon as they came in the presence of Samuel and the prophets. Finally, Saul himself went after David and he started prophesying and the Spirit of God came upon him. Here Saul under the control of the Spirit of God prophesied and stripped off all his clothes and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Saul in his pursue of David went to the spiritual center of Israel at that time and faced Samuel the man of God whom he had broken off all relationship with after Samuel had confronted Saul for his disobedience. However, there was no change in Saul as future events will show his true character.

I Samuel 19:8-18

And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him .And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped .And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster. And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. (KJV)

After Saul permitted David to return to his court war with the Philistines broke out again. It was again David and his men that defeated the Philistines and gave the victory to Saul. However, the evil spirit within Saul could not handle the praise that David was receiving and again tried to take his life. One of the reasons I started my study of the psalms twenty years ago was to try to understand how a wonderful relationship of the past could turn into a bitter fight between two parties. From my journey through the psalms I decided to follow David’s path. As Saul tried to kill David, David chose to flee from Saul instead of fighting and defending himself. David from this point on in his life will be running from Saul until Saul’s death.

This running from Saul meant separation from the ones that love David, which included two of Saul’s children ,Michal and Jonathan. We see Michal helping David escape from her father in this chapter, however the next time that Michal appears in the scriptures is when Saul his daughter to Phalti the son of Laish. Later after the death of Saul she was returned to David as part of the league that Abner made the other tribes of Israel (David was just the King of Judah at this time) to make him their King. The only other two references to Michal was her despising of David as he brought the ark to Jerusalem and the turning over the five sons of Adriel to the Gibeonites for the sins of Saul because he slew the Gibeonites. The reference in II Samuel 21:8 probably refers to Michal helping raising the children of her sister Merah since marry to Adriel the Meholathite (I Samuel 18:19). These two references shows how much David’s and Michal’s relationship in the later part of their life was strained

However, Jonathan’s love for David continue until Jonathan’s death. The last meeting between them before Jonathan’s death was at Horesh in the desert of Ziph while Saul was hunting David to take his life. Jonathan comfort David and told him that he would be king over Israel. Jonathan and David renew their covenant before the Lord to protect each other and their family. Jonathan went home after and David remained at Horesh.

The future relationships from love ones because of a bitter separation can cause complications over time. Michal relationship took a new and different path after David was force to leave Saul’s presence; however because of Jonathan’s love for David he continue to have fellowship with him. There is one relationship that should never be abandon and that is our daily relationship with the Lord. We need to be careful and not allow bitter disputes with other effect our relationship with the Lord. David and Jonathan gives us two examples of how to deal with a bitter relationship. David had to either run from Saul or fight. He chose to run. Jonathan had to either support his father Saul or protect David. He chose to protect David, which probably created a very rough relationship between him and his father. The bitterness of Saul’s hatred for David help develop both David and Jonathan spiritual life by seeking the right path to address this bitterness.

I Samuel 19:1-7

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: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.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: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?And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.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. (KJV)

Saul’s true reason for giving his daughter Michal to David was his desire that David will be killed battling the Philistines. However, this did not happen even when David rewarded Saul with double the price that he requested. Soon after David’s marriage to Michal we see that Saul decided that he would get his own servants as well as his son to kill David. A study of Saul’s life gives us an example of a self-center man that is characterized by bitterness. In Hebrews 12:14,15 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” is a warning to all to follow peace with all men. Saul’s bitterness against David was so great that even as his new son-in-law he wanted him kill.

Here we see Jonathan stepping up as one that understood the importance of following peace with all men. Jonathan talked his father out of shedding the innocent blood of David’s life. Jonathan’s reasoning to Saul was that David had: put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel. Saul must have realized at this time his slaying of David would be more harmful to his kingdom then slaying the leader of his army. So Saul welcome David back in his presence as in times past. David probably welcome this return to the court of Saul, since he had probably created many friendships during his time in Saul’s court. Also he could return home to his new bride Michal, Saul’s daughter.

Distractions

Trying to fit in time to study God’s Word in today’s busy life style can be a challenge. This can be true for a new believer. As I was pulling out one of my first Bibles, yes I have saved them for over fifty-five years, I was looking at some notes I had taken as a young teenager. In Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” I placed a note in my Bible that read (renewing of your mind comes about when studying God’s Word and let those words fill our mind). As I study David’s life in light of Psalm 119 I realize that in reading I Samuel 18:14 that David behaved himself wisely and in all his ways and the Lord was with him; that David must have turned to the scriptures of his day and applied them to his life.

This was not so with Saul. In I Samuel chapter eighteen we have the story of David serving Saul as a military leader. However, the further we get into this chapter the more we see Saul’s angry and hatred for David grow. Instead of looking at David as a friend and a great leader of his army, Saul looked at David as someone who desire to take the kingdom from him. Even when it came time for Saul to give his daughter Merab to David as his wife for defeating Goliath, Saul give her to Adriel the Meholathite as his wife. Saul was hoping that David would be killed in his battles against the Philistines but this did not happen. Not only did Saul not keep God’s word; he also did not keep his own.

Saul’s serves as an example to all mankind what happens when we live our live without God. David serves as an example of those that seek to live a godly life. However, this will only come about with a renewing of the mind. And this renewing only comes about by staying daily in God’s Word. Saul represent those that have turned away from God. The more one chose to live without God the more ungodly they become. Even when they seem to do good, evil is in their heart and they usually have a hidden agenda. We see this in the way that Saul behaved around David.

So, as I close this old Bible on mine, I must remember that transformation only comes about with a renewing of the mind, and this renewal must be grounded in God’s word.

I Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as much as his own soul.

David’s relationship with Jonathan was a very complicated one for Jonathan. After David defeated Goliath he moved his residence to become part (and a leader) of Saul’s army. David was probably around twenty years old at this time. David probably spent his next ten to thirteen years in the court of Saul. Jonathan’s relationship with David grew very close during this time since David would be a big part of the activities in Saul’s house. This relationship between Jonathan and David became a major conflict with Jonathan’s relationship with his father Saul.

In I Samuel 14:10 “But if they say “come on up” then we will will go up because this will be our sign that God has delivered them into our hands.” we get a glimpse of Jonathan’s faith in God. In this early battle of his career Jonathan and his armour bearer kill about twenty Philistines. This was battle also set the stage for the conflict that Jonathan would face with Saul and his poor decisions in the future. It also shows that as a young man he placed his trust in the hands of the Lord to open and close doors.

As I study Jonathan’s life and his relationship with David I see someone who trusted in the Lord. Jonathan saw how the Lord’s hand was upon David and he also saw the fear that this placed upon his father. Jonathan is one of the characters that God has given us to understand how we must take a stand even when it hurts our relationship with our love ones.

Jonathan stand against his father and his desire to get his father to see and understand that David’s true motives farther split their relationship. Jonathan probably understood that David was to be the next king. He understood this and his desire was to support the future king and yet at the same time serve the current king (his father Saul). This lead up to a disappointing relationship with his father to the point it even made Jonathan a friend of the Saul’s rival which probably weigh heavy on Jonathan’s emotional life. Jonathan’s example can help us understand Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed “not my will, but thine will be done”.

Jonathan serves as an example of someone in David’s life who understood how to surrender his will to God’s will not his will. In today’s world were everyone wants their way and it all about me and my glory Jonathan’s example serve how a Christian should surrender to God’s will. Having to surrender to God’s will can be a difficult decision; however afterward you will realize a peace beyond understanding in your life. Seeking God’s will and not your will is difficult and will only come about with much prayer and studying His Word. Does your love for Christ measure up to Jonathan’s love for David. Jonathan accepted David as king in his life. Do you accept Christ as king in your life?