Gospel Reflections #958: Faithful to God not to the Throne

1 Samuel 20:38 ‘Jonathan called out from behind his servant, “Hurry up, make haste, don’t stop!” The servant picked up the arrows and returned to his master.’

This is a tense scene in which Jonathan, the son of King Saul, uses a secret code to inform his close friend David—whose life is in danger—that his father’s intent to kill him is genuine, and urges him to flee without delay.

Jonathan had previously agreed with David that if he said, ‘The arrow is beyond the servant,’ it would be a sign that his father was trying to kill him.

And these words, shouted at the servant, were in fact a final warning to David, who was hiding behind a rock: ‘My father’s intent to kill you is final. Flee at once.’ 

His father Saul had rebuked Jonathan, saying, ‘As long as David lives, your throne is in jeopardy.’

Yet Jonathan chose to help David, whom God had chosen, even at the cost of forsaking his own worldly success (the kingship).

This cry of ‘Hurry!’ is a manifestation of Jonathan’s self-sacrificing love and loyalty. 

This implies not only a physical escape, but also that there was no longer any place for David in Saul’s court (the old regime).

From this point, David’s long life of exile began, marking the entrance to a new stage in which he would be prepared as the true king.

Jonathan spoke these parting words to David:

‘Go in peace. The Lord is always between you and me, and between my descendants and yours.’

It was likely because they believed that God was with them that Jonathan accepted his position as Saul’s son, and David accepted his unjust exile.

Those who live by faith in God manifest selfless love, presence, and strength towards one another.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.