David replied, “…Please do me this favor, and keep the sacred promise you made to me. But if I’m guilty, kill me yourself. Why take me to your father to be killed?”
As with everything, Father, if what I’m doing is not of you, kill it. Why pursue something that will not endure?
…Jonathan said to David, “…May the Lord be with you as he was with my father! And if I remain alive, please keep your sacred promise and be loyal to me; but if I die, show the same kind of loyalty to my family forever. And when the Lord has completely destroyed all your enemies, may our promise to each other still be unbroken.”
Jonathan clearly saw the future through the eyes of faith. Appearances would indicate that it was David’s life that was in danger but, in reality, it was Jonathan’s, who was effectively renouncing his claim to the throne (v. 31). David would not be able to save Jonathan (1 Samuel 31:2) but he was able to show kindness to his son (2 Samuel 9:1-8). And like Jonathan, may I respond according to what my eyes of faith see – not to what appearances would have me believe.
Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.
Thank you so much for the wonderful friends you’ve given me, Lord.
…if I tell him, ‘The arrows are on the other side of you,’ then leave, because the Lord is sending you away.
Wonderful. Instead of saying that his father was intent on killing him (albeit true but not helpful), Jonathan expresses what the Lord wants for David just as Joseph did with his brothers (Genesis 45:5). May that same spirit live in me, Lord!
…King Saul came to the meal and sat in his usual place by the wall.
Better said: with his back to the wall. This guy trusted no one!
David’s place was empty, but Saul said nothing that day, because he thought, “Something has happened to him, and he is not ritually pure.”
How Jonathan must have been all nerves waiting for what would happen (to say nothing of David)! So far so good…