Devotional comment on 1 Samuel for July 20th- July 26th
These free devotions from a Reformed Presbyterian understanding of the Word of God may be used for personal or family devotions. I suggest you read verses around the daily verse as well, to get the wider context; and also choose another passage of Scripture to read. Any feedback on the way in which this attempt to serve the church can be improved please let me know by emailing covenanter@covenantedreformation.com. These devotions are of course not copyrighted and can be freely given to others.
1 Samuel
Lord’s Day 27th July
Be Careful1 Sam. 20:1-33‘And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. 3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.’
In the opening verses, David seeks out Jonathan to make sense of what Saul is trying to achieve in killing David. Jonathan’s response is disbelief. It seems that Saul did lean heavily on Jonathan and Jonathan was confident that Saul would tell him if he had renewed his intentions to kill his friend.
Was Jonathan a little naïve? Obviously Jonathan saw himself as trustworthy, but he was also being a little naïve. Being someone with a guileless spirit, he took men, including his father, at his word — such was his generous nature.
And as verse 13 also shows, Jonathan is not yet ready to believe that Saul wants to kill David. But when we arrive at verse 33 we see that Jonathan is compelled to recognize the truth.So it is necessary for David who had greater discernment in this matter to seek to make Jonathan see that this is so — that his father Saul does indeed want to see David killed.
It is sometimes difficult sometimes for a godly person to see bad in others. But the facts are that we must be prudent in our judgement of others. We can be too trusting, especially if a person is dishonest. Let’s remember this week that a Christian too must be wary of those who would seek their hurt. Do you wrongly trust someone whose intentions and motives are not clear?
Monday 28th July
Are You Like A Green Olive Tree?1 Sam. 20:5-8 ‘5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. 7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him. 8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?’
How would you describe David’s plan in your own words (verses 5-7)? David’s plan is quite straight forward. He outlines it in verse 5-7. The new moon was treated as another Sabbath and it would be expected that the King’s household would accompany the King in the ritual of the day. ‘Let me go,’ David asks ‘that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
And this is most likely not a lie. He probably has been urged by his godly father to come to the yearly sacrifice. David explains ‘If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.’
David is placing trust in Jonathan just as Jonathan places trust in David. We are to place our trust in God in like manner. This same David writes in Ps 52:8 ‘But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.’ If you want your life to truly flourish, then you have to trust God more and more and not live your life as if God is not there for you.
Tuesday 29th July
Be Jealous For The Lord’s Honour Over Your Own1 Sam. 20:8-17 ‘8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? 9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee? 10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly? 11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. 12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; 13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father. 14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: 15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. 17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul’.
Jonathan also wants to reaffirm his commitment to David by way of a mutual covenant. He also wants to make certain that he and his family will not be disadvantaged when David is finally elevated to the throne of Israel. Jonathan is learning discernment and caution also. What can we say about the quality of commitment expressed in verses 8-17?
In verses 8 -17 we see this mutual commitment expressed. Strong language is used to reinforce the sincerity of both the participants. In verse 8, David even says to Jonathan if he discovers sin in him then Jonathan can put him to death himself. David also knows that their bond of love is so strong that Jonathan will not be swayed by false rumours.
We can learn from this that we need not fear that the truth will not triumph in our lives. It is true that we may be slandered for a time, but we should not spend an inordinate amount of energy trying to vindicate ourselves from false accusations and charges- we have more urgent things to do. We should be less concerned about our own honour and more concerned for the Lord’s reputation.Wednesday 30th July
Looking Beyond
1 Sam. 20:12-15 ‘12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; 13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father. 14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: 15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.’
We have the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Isaiah prophesied, ‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.[Isa 53:7]’ Pride can be our biggest spiritual temptation, but the Lord Jesus shows us that we need not try and vindicate our good name. What is more important is that we are busy doing God’s will, and let God take care of our reputation.
In verses 14 and 15, we have the remarkable faith of Jonathan evident again. And these verses show why it is that Jonathan’s loyalty to David was greater than to his father Saul. ‘14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: 15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth’.
Jonathan is looking to the future based on the promises of God. David as a type of Christ has the ability to show Jonathan ‘the kindness of the Lord.’
How are you like Jonathan? We look at our circumstances and the circumstances of our loved ones. And we say how can God bring anything good out of this? We must look beyond our own circumstances to the promises of God, that we have an endless eternity of unparalleled happiness awaiting us in glory. Just as Jonathan believed that God would fulfil his promise to David that he would be king, so we should believe without wavering that God has heaven itself prepared for us. Does our Lord not say: Joh.14:2 ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you’.
Thursday 31st July
Affirming God’s Presence1 Sam. 20:8 ‘. 8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?’
Jonathan is covenanting with the future king wherein all his hope of prosperity and happiness lies in an earthly sense. But as the type of Christ to come, to covenant with David was a form of commitment to God’s ultimate purposes in Christ. And we can be sure that Jonathan knew about the real priorities in life.
And notice that Jonathan’s faith was exercised when it seemed most unlikely that David ever would amount to anything. Christ appears to be weak and unimportant and worthless to modern man. Just consider how non-Christian New Zealanders perceive Christ. His name is used as a swear word, because such blasphemers deny that Christ is who the Bible says He is. But to the eyes of faith He has all power and dominion and glory.
How does it seem to you? Is Christ, in your view, ruling as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as the Scriptures say? And if you say ‘yes’, in what practical way does that affect your daily living? What are some of the steps we can take to experience God’s presence in our lives to a greater degree?
In order to get a higher view of the reality of God’s presence in your life, let me suggest several steps. Firstly, get familiar with the Scriptures that speak of Christ’s dominion over all creation and all history. Verses like Ephesians 1:21, which describes the Lord Jesus as ‘Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church...’
Secondly, come to terms with your circumstances by realising that God has placed you in your present situation, since God is sovereign over all things. Instead of moaning about your situation, praise God for the blessings He gives you and the opportunities you have to live for Him and witness for Him.
It is also legitimate to reaffirm the covenant bond that God has established in your life. You may go to Him and tell Him how you love Him and how you want to serve Him and live for Him with renewed commitment.
Friday 1st August
Doubt Not God’s Covenant Love1 Sam. 20:16-23 ‘16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. 17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. 19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. 20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 21 And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth. 22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. 23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.’
Notice too that Jonathan is serious about his covenant, which he makes with the house of David. Verse 16 reads: ‘So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.’
This last phrase probably means: If I break the covenant I have made with you David, I have become your enemy and so may God require my life if I break this agreement.
Jonathan has now accepted the possibility that Saul might want to kill David, though he is still not totally convinced. Nevertheless he listens to the concerns of his friend and seeks to reassure him that he has a plan in place if David’s fears indeed prove to be true.
In verses 18-24, we have Jonathan’s agreement to tell David what he knows. He tells David to go to a certain spot after three days by the stone Ezel. He then outlines his plan to shoot three arrows and then send a trustworthy boy to pick them up. The facts as to Saul’s real intentions then would be revealed by what Jonathan then said.
David has placed his future in Jonathan’s hands, and Jonathan has placed his safety in David’s hands. He recognises in verse 14 and 15 that David will one day triumph over Saul and so he asks David to preserve the descendants of Jonathan as well. David is a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We can conclude by noticing that our love and trust and covenant will never be unrewarded by our Covenant God. Why is that? Simply because we love Him because He first loved us! Unlike human covenants, God has supplied the sacrifice to ratify His promises that He will be our loving covenant God forever. He has given the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary. Let us go into this week, not doubting, that our Covenant God will always love us with an unfailing love as we serve Him this week and all our lives.
Saturday 2nd August
The Betrayal Of A Godless Spirit1 Sam. 20:24-30, ‘So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. 25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. 27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? 28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: 29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table. 30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?’
We saw earlier this week how David and Jonathan in covenant love established a plan to confirm Saul’s true intentions towards David. The plan is put into action. David hides in the field and does not attend the new moon feast. Why do you think Saul sit in his usual place against the wall? Probably to protect himself against surprise attack. Deceitful and ungodly men always need greater caution in this world and can have no real peace.
Jonathan rises up to show respect to his superior and father.
Saul assumes David must be ritually unclean and so this is the reason he does not attend the feast. This was a religious festival and it is significant that the reason that would first come to Saul’s mind as to why David would not be attending this festival was for pious reasons. What a wonderful testimony to God’s grace it is when the ungodly recognize the godliness of true believers. God may use this to stir the ungodly up to faith. But He is glorified because of it. But it would have been expected that someone would have remained unclean for two days. There was adequate time for the ritual cleansing.
Jonathan replies with the planned response along with some embellishment of his own. Saul then erupts in anger and abuses or curses Jonathan. He suspects Jonathan of complicity with David at this point. He also says that his choosing of David above his Father is a shame to him and his mother because his kingdom will never be established as long as David remains alive.
Here we have evidence of uncouth behaviour that betrays a godless spirit. Only the lowest of the low would seek to abuse their own children with such vile language. Is there a danger that Christians would lose their temper? If so, how do you prevent that happening if you have a quick temper?
We can learn from this to check our own anger — an anger which might be justified. We must never let it degenerate in such a way that we would seek to destroy others by hurting their feelings by saying crude things about their mother or other relatives.
Garnet Milne
