1 Samuel 20:35-42 – Making Jesus our first choice in life

Having a taste of his father’s rage, Jonathan knew the grave danger David was in. He left the new moon celebration in hot anger because of his father’s unreasonableness and insistence to destroy David. In the morning, he went into the field bringing a lad with him to make known to David of his father’s intention. As agreed, he sent an encoded message to his good friend. He shot an arrow near where David was hiding then shouted loudly after the boy saying, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”…“Hurry, be quick, do not stay!”  He made it clear that David’s life was in danger. And when the boy had gathered the arrow and came to him, he sent him off with the gear into the city so that he could bid David farewell. Getting the boy away with his gear into the city was by way of showing David that he harbored no hostile intention.

In verses 41-42 was a scene of the tearful and moving farewell the two friends had. The one more affected was David. He was humbled by Jonathan’s kindness and sincerity so that he came forward and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times to this dear friend. The two friends kissed each other and wept. David wept most. Kissing as we know was an Old Testament greeting, signifying warmth. But this kiss these two friends had was more than just expressing kindness and warmth. It was a mutual perception and acknowledgment of the plan the Lord had for the future of the nation.  Jonathan was showing his acceptance of the position David would ultimately hold. Whereas David’s kiss was acknowledging his position as the future king he would be.

Why then did they cry? We are told that they kissed and wept over each other. David was the one more affected because it was said that he wept more intensely. They wept, firstly, because they were bidding each other farewell, not knowing when they would meet again. Secondly, and more painfully, were the circumstances that they each were forced into. Saul’s unreasonableness and hostility had sadly forced Jonathan, his son to choose David his friend over him. It was certain that the last thing both the friends wanted was to see Saul at enmity with David. But Saul’s reaction made the separation inevitable. We can be sure that David did not want the father and son to be at odds with each other,  but it was Saul who had tragically caused all these.   

Verse 42 tells us that “Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.” Between the two friends, there was peace. Though aware of his father’s hostility toward David, Jonathan was sure that the Lord would watch over him. He was also confident that the Lord would watch over him and protect him from his father’s anger, now that he had incurred his wrath. Jonathan was literally committing both David’s and his own future as well as that of their descendants into the hand of God. That’s no better plan than this.

What can we draw out of all these? Like Jonathan’s friendship with David, our friendship with Jesus our Lord, forces us to make a choice between Him and whosoever and whatsoever we hold dear in life. Be it people or position or thing, we must always choose Jesus first. It may be a hard decision at times, but the outcome of the choice will reveal that it’s always the right decision to make.