”Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” So Jonathan said to him, “By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, my father will do nothing either great or small without first telling me. And why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!” Then David took an oath again, and said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”“
I Samuel 20:1-4 NKJV
a. Then David fled from Naioth: The Spirit of God protected David in Naioth in a powerful way. He could have simply stayed there for however long it took Saul to give up or die. Yet David left for a good reason: He wanted to know if Saul’s heart had changed and if there was still a chance to reconcile with Saul.
b. What have I done? Here David checked his relationship with Jonathan. He wanted to know what Saul thought but it was more important for David to know what Jonathan thought. In asking, “What have I done?” David wanted to know if Jonathan had come to a place of agreement with his father Saul.
c. So Jonathan said to him, “By no means!” This assured David that Jonathan was still his loyal friend and that Jonathan hadn’t bought into Saul’s lies about David. Jonathan also assured David of his protection by warning David of Saul’s intentions.
i. Why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so: Apparently, David wondered why Jonathan didn’t tell him about the attempted arrest at Naioth. Jonathan expressed astonishment that his father did not tell him but assures David of his heart towards him.
d. There is but a step between me and death: This reveals David’s discouragement. He knew that Saul had attempted to kill him many times, and it seemed Saul would not quit until David was gone. David felt that his death was inevitable and that he walked on a slippery plank over a great canyon.
e. Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you: Jonathan continued to reassure David, bringing encouragement and an offer of help to a discouraged man. Conceivably, he could have said, “Where is your faith, brother? Why aren’t you just trusting God?” Instead, Jonathan knew David’s heart was pointed in the right direction, and he offered to help. (Guzik)
Discouragement
Even the most godly person gets discouraged just as David did! And it’s our response that can bring judgment with words of discouragement, or a simple thank you for what you do brings encouragement!
Last week during our Life Recovery Bible Group a gentleman told me that he looks forward to our group all week long! That was encouraging to hear that!
Will our words be encouraging like Jonathon or discouraging like a friend of Job’s?
Blessings
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