Bible in 365 Days

1 Samuel 18-20

1 Samuel 18

Here, in the account of Jonathan and David, begins one of the most perfect stories of love and friendship in the world. The story is all the more beautiful because of its dark background. Love is in itself essentially beautiful, but its richest colors appear only in shadow and difficulty.

In the account of the beginning of this friendship, it would seem that Jonathan's love for David came first. Indeed, it is questionable whether the story does not redound more to the credit of Jonathan than to David's. Jonathan seems to have been without selfishness. He was the son of Saul, and his friendship for and loyalty to, David, was a sacrifice of his right to the succession.

Coincident with the commencement of this friendship, the hatred of Saul for David seems to have deepened, and become more dangerous to David. He became afraid of David. The reason for this is very revealing: "Jehovah was with David, and was departed from Saul."

There is nothing more common or sadder than the jealousy of the sinful and unsuccessful of those who are blessed and succeed. Saul's hatred manifested itself in wicked schemes to rid himself of his rival.

1 Samuel 19

Saul's enmity toward David grew, while the friendship between Jonathan and David increased. Saul did all in his power to set both Jonathan and the people against David. He even went so far as to charge them to slay David.

For a while he was persuaded by Jonathan to cease his unholy persecution of David. However, the underlying enmity quickly broke out again, and this time in a direct attempt on David's life.

These were indeed days of bitter testing for the young man anointed to the kingly office, and it was perfectly natural that in the stress and strain of such experiences he should flee to Samuel.

Here he was protected by direct divine intervention of the most remarkable kind. Three companies of Saul's messengers, and at last Sad himself, journeying with the express purpose of capturing David, were taken possession of by the Spirit of God and compelled to prophesy.

1 Samuel 20

David returned to Jonathan, and there follows an interesting and beautiful account of a time in which these two friends took counsel together about David's peril.

Every incident of the story is full of arresting beauty; Jonathan's deep concern and all he did to help his friend reveal a man of the finest type.

As we have suggested, the whole attitude of Jonathan becomes the more wonderful when we remember that he was the heir apparent to the throne. Moreover, we see not merely his love for David, but his willing co- operation with what he knew to be the will of God. He was aware that God had chosen his friend to be king, and, evidently without any pang of regret, he acquiesced in that divine appointment and remained true to David, loving him more rather than less because he saw in him the anointed of Jehovah.

On account of all this, Saul added to all his other sins his attempt on the life of his own son. He is revealed as rapidly becoming an irresponsible madman, while David is seen through all the painful discipline as being prepared for the work that lay before him.