David Escapes Saul and Goes to Samuel

David Escapes Saul and Goes to Samuel

         Saul’s attempts to kill David have been thwarted by David dodging his spear, and warning by Jonathan and by Michal, Saul's son and daughter. Saul’s fourth attempt to kill David is thwarted by Samuel. David began his anointing with Samuel. He will return to Samuel probably for advice, strengthening of his faith, comfort, rest and prayer.

David reported to Samuel what Saul had done to him.Three times, Saul sends his men to take David. However, when Saul’s men saw a group of prophets with Samuel as the leader prophesying, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul’s men and they too prophesied. They forgot about their mission. God intervened! As Saul intensified his pursuit of David, God intensified the power of His Spirit against him. Finally, Saul himself went to get David, but the spirit of prophecy fell upon him also.V23 Saul “stripped off his robes and prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and all that night.” V24 Saul stripped off his royal robes and lay bare before God indicating humility and openness.

        Saul’s jealousy of David escalated to envy, then anger and then wanting to take David’s life.These sins of Saul became his bondage and ultimately led to his  death. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

David Goes to Jonathan Again

       Eventually, David leaves Samuel’s place to go to Ramah to see Jonathan. David seeks counsel from those he trusts in the Lord. David asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?” 1 Samuel 20:1 David’s humility is displayed once again. He wants to find out if there is anything he has done to cause Saul’s desire to kill him. David trusted Jonathan. They have a deep covenant bond because of their love of God and each other like spiritual brothers. Proverbs 18:24: A man who has friends, must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus tells us who are His mother, sisters and brothers in Mathew 12:48-49, “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

 Jonathan doesn’t believe that his father is still trying to kill David. Jonathan wants to believe the best about his father. But David swears an oath to Jonathan that this is true. It was Saul’s custom to not do anything without informing his son Jonathan. Jonathan is surprised by what David is telling him. David tells Jonathan that the reason that Saul probably didn't tell his son is because he knows that Jonathan is David’s friend and cares about him. Therefore, Saul didn’t want Jonathan to know his plans because it would grieve Jonathan and Jonathan would probably warn David.  Jonathan now believes David and tells him that he will do whatever David wants him to do to help.

David has a plan. David is to dine with Saul at the New Moon Festival. David will hide and not show up until the evening of the day after tomorrow. If your father misses me at all, tell him, “David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.” 20:5-6 If Saul says this is okay then Jonathan will know David is safe. But if Saul loses his temper, Jonathan will know that Saul is determined to harm David. David then tells Jonathan to be honest with him because they made covenant with each other before the Lord. V8 David goes on to say to Jonathan, “If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?” “Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?” David asked, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” Jonathan swears to God and David that he will warn David either way. If he doesn’t, Jonathan said, “May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely.”

Jonathan asks that the Lord be with David and then wants David to promise that he will “show Jonathan unfailing kindness like that of the Lord as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family – not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. 20:14-17 Again, Jonathan and David made a covenant oath to each other before God. David honored this oath with Mephibosheth. (see 2 Samuel 9:10)
The Law in Leviticus 19:18 said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” and Jesus said  in Matthew 19:19; 23:29 and Mark 12:31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In Mark, Jesus added, “There is no greater commandment than these.” When a “word” is spoken three times, it is established. (see Matthew 18:16) Jonathan and David lived this.The Law said that the Israelites should love their neighbor as themselves, but Jesus started with loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is in loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and learning of His pure, perfect love that enables us to love our neighbors as ourselves.