First Samuel 20 presents a friendship based on the desire for the growth in another and not an advancement for the self. Do we find this in our society where everything seems to be for the benefit of the one involved? Can we find this in our society where face-to-face is replaced with a face-book?
The setting is the end of chapter 19. David is in Ramah. He finds Jonathan and pleads his case before him. The friendship of the two can be recalled from 1 Samuel 18 and 19. Here Jonathan pledges total devotion to David as does David for Jonathan (1 Samuel 20.17). Jonathan is willing to die in the place of his friend. He asks David, who he knows is going to replace him, to care for his family after he has died (1 Samuel 17.14). This promise is kept in 2 Samuel 9.
Saul was jealous for the throne. His anger continued to rage against David. In verse 30 we see that anger rage against his own son. Saul sees that Jonathan is not standing in the way of David taking Jonathan’s throne. He is enraged with Jonathan. Jonathan defends David. Saul desires David dead.
When we battle against the Lord’s will, we lose. We not only lose the battle, but we also lose our sanity.
