Lesson 212 - Junior

Memory Verse

Notes

David's Return to the Palace

David had returned to the palace of Saul with the head of the giant he had killed with his slingshot. Jonathan, the son of Saul and heir apparent to the throne, met David and loved him. It was decided that David should not go home any more but continue to live with Jonathan.

The clothes that the prince wore showed his station in life, and were to be worn only by those of royal birth. Jonathan took of those royal robes and gave them to David to wear. That showed how much Jonathan loved David. He was willing to give up his position at the court for his friend.

Of course, we know that David had already been anointed by God to be the next king, so it was sure to come to pass. But we do not know if Jonathan and Saul knew it yet.

Unselfish Love

The love between David and Jonathan is regarded as one of the greatest friendships that the world has ever known. Jonathan was willing to give up not only his honour and power, but also the favour of his own father, for the sake of David, the Lord's anointed.

Do you think you could be so unselfish as to give the very best thing you have to one of your friends? Would you still be his friend if he were given an honour that you thought you should have? Do you pray enough so that you know it is the Lord's will when someone gets to do what you want to do? Jonathan was not only willing to have his honour taken from him and given to David, but he himself gave it freely.

Jonathan's Love for God

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled, breaking the agreement of Goliath that they would be servants of Israel when Goliath was killed. The Children of Israel pursued the Philistines out of the valley, even unto Ekron. Many of the Philistines were wounded, and the Children of Israel were richer by the spoils of the enemies' tents.

Jonathan knew the Lord and had enjoyed His blessings in times past. One time he and his armour bearer had attacked an entire garrison of the Philistines, and with God's help had won the victory. Jonathan had not trusted in his own strength and strategy. He said to his young man: "Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few" (I Samuel 14:6). This battle was going to be the Lord's and He did not need many soldiers to help Him. Two consecrated men conquered the powers of evil.

It was this consecration of Jonathan that made him love David so unselfishly. The love for God in his heart made him honour David, although from the worldly standpoint David was his rival.

Saul's Hatred for David

Saul did not share his son's love for David at this time. He could see that if David became king the royal line would be taken from the house of Saul. The Prophet Samuel had already said that this would happen as a result of Saul's disobedience, but Saul tried in his own power to change the judgment of God.

God has power against all men and against the powers of Satan. Man is helpless to fight against Him. We need never fear that the Lord will forsake His children, no matter where the enemy may come against them.

Missionaries in lands where the heathen worship devils have often told of the terrible pressure of demon power, but God has always been more powerful. Satan cannot destroy the man of God who is under the Blood of Jesus.

Saul's hate became murder. He instructed Jonathan and his servants to kill David. While David hid, Jonathan tried to reason with his father that his beloved friend had never done anything but good for them, and surely he did not deserve to die. Saul seemed to be persuaded, and David returned to the palace to live. But, soon Saul was angry again, and all his fury burst forth on David.

David was in a very difficult position with his life being threatened every minute; so he had a heart to heart talk with Jonathan about it. He thought that perhaps it would be better for him to go away and never come back.

Jonathan could not believe that his father would be so cruel. Surely he could trust Saul not to kill his best friend. David felt that he had done nothing worthy of death, but should iniquity be found in him, he would much rather have Jonathan execute judgment upon him than to have to be brought before Saul.

The Test

The Jews celebrated the feast of the new moon at the beginning of each of their months. This was a special event in the king's household, and David knew he was supposed to be at the table for the dinner. He saw in this a chance to prove to Jonathan the king's feelings for him. David told Jonathan that he would not come to the feast, and if the king was angry because of his absence, Jonathan would know for sure that the king meant to do him harm.

Saul missed David, but thought that he might have done something that would make him ceremonially unclean for the religious feast. But when David failed to be in his place the next night, he suspected that Jonathan knew something about his absence, and he asked, "Wherefore cometh not, the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?"

Jonathan and David had arranged what to say if the king should ask such a question. Jonathan told him that David had asked permission to go to Bethlehem for a few days to be with his family during a sacrificial feast, and Jonathan had told him he could go. Saul was very angry. He practically disowned Jonathan as his son. He as much as told Jonathan that he was giving away the throne to David. He sent word that David should be called immediately that he might be put to death.

Jonathan tried to reason with his father that David had done no wrong, but it only increased Saul's anger until he threw his javelin at Jonathan. Jonathan realised he could do nothing to soothe his father, so he rose and left the table, feeling very sad that his good friend was so hated.

Target Practice

David and Jonathan had agreed that on the third day after David left they would meet in a field away from the palace. This was arranged without Saul's suspicion. Jonathan went out to do a little target practice with his bow and arrow, and took along a boy to chase the arrows for him. Out flew the arrows from Jonathan's bow, far into the field; and away ran the lad to bring them back. As he ran, Jonathan shot one more, far beyond him, and Jonathan called: "Is not the arrow beyond thee?" That had been the prearranged signal to David that he was not safe in the king's house any longer. When the boy returned with the arrows, Jonathan sent him back to the city, and Jonathan went out to meet David.

The Parting

Think how those two men must have felt! They loved each other dearly. Jonathan loved David as his own soul; and David said of Jonathan, "Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women" (II Samuel 1:26). And yet they would have to part, perhaps never to meet again on earth; but they had the hope that they would meet in Heaven.

Before God they had made a covenant that they would always love each other, and be good to each other's family as long as they lived. They knew the time might come when David would have to protect Jonathan against his own father if it were found out that Jonathan had helped David to escape.

Jonathan had the spiritual vision that could see that one day all David's enemies would be put down, and his kingdom would be powerful. He begged David that in that day his house might not be forgotten, though Jonathan himself might be dead. Jonathan and David wept as they repledged their covenant; and after they had kissed each other, they parted. Jonathan went back to his home, and David started out in a life of hiding which would occupy the next ten years.

Questions

1. How did David return to the palace of Saul?

2. How did Jonathan like David?

3. What did Saul think of David?

4. Why did Saul treat David as he did?

5. How did Jonathan and David prove Saul's feelings?

6. What was the covenant David and Jonathan made?

7. How did Jonathan let David know his father's feelings?