Theme: The carnal Christian causes breakdown in personal relationships because of a self-serving attitude.
In chapter 19 we saw the murderous rage of King Saul as he no longer hid his evil intentions but openly called for David’s execution.
We noted an important progression of sin:
- When we do not repent of our sin, we eventually give respect to our sin.
- When we cease to be ashamed of our sin, we begin to adore our sin.
- When we do not condemn sin, we eventually commend sin.
In this chapter we see the test that David and Jonathan devised to reveal Saul’s true intentions.
The chapter can be divided into three sections:
- Saul’s Intentions Questioned (1 Samuel 20:1–23)
- Saul’s Intentions Tested (1 Samuel 20:24–34)
- Saul’s Intentions Revealed (1 Samuel 20:35–42)
1. Saul’s Intentions Questioned (1 Samuel 20:1–23)
David Questions Saul’s Intentions Before Jonathan (Verses 1–8)
After fleeing from Naioth, David went directly to Jonathan.
David’s visit served two purposes:
- To inform Jonathan of the danger he was facing.
- To seek counsel from a trusted friend.
This shows wisdom.
When we are in the middle of life’s storms, it can be difficult to discern the best course of action because our emotions cloud our judgment.
In such times it is wise to seek counsel from someone who can view the situation objectively.
Earlier, Jonathan had successfully interceded for David and obtained a promise from Saul not to kill him.
David may have hoped that Jonathan could calm Saul again so that life could return to normal and he could safely return home to his wife.
However, Jonathan initially struggled to believe David’s report.
Jonathan believed that if Saul truly intended to kill David, he would have told him.
This shows how easy it is for people to trust those who present themselves as friends.
Salespeople, scammers, and deceivers often exploit this natural tendency.
David insisted that Saul knew of Jonathan’s love for him and therefore had hidden his intentions from Jonathan.
David even declared that there was only “a step between me and death.”
David proposed a plan to test Saul’s intentions.
The New Moon feast was approaching, and David would normally attend the royal banquet. Instead, he would remain absent and allow Jonathan to observe Saul’s reaction.
Jonathan Agrees to Test Saul’s Intentions (Verses 9–23)
Jonathan reassured David that he would have warned him if he had known Saul intended harm.
Jonathan then took David into a field where they made a covenant before the Lord.
Their conversation reveals a remarkable picture of true friendship.
Jonathan demonstrated:
- Deep loyalty
- Selfless love
- Faith in God’s purposes
Jonathan even acknowledged that God’s will was for David—not himself—to inherit the throne.
The two friends then devised a signal system to reveal Saul’s intentions.
David would hide near the stone Ezel.
After three days, Jonathan would come into the field and shoot three arrows.
The message would be hidden in the instructions Jonathan gave his servant:
- “The arrows are on this side of thee” — David would know it was safe.
- “The arrows are beyond thee” — David must flee because Saul still intended to kill him.
2. Saul’s Intentions Tested (1 Samuel 20:24–34)
Saul Notices David’s Absence
At the New Moon feast, David’s seat was empty.
Royal banquets followed strict seating arrangements.
The positions included:
- Jonathan as the prince
- Abner as the commander of the army
- David as one of Saul’s highest officials and his son-in-law
Because of this structure, David’s absence would have been immediately obvious.
At first Saul assumed David was ceremonially unclean.
Under the Law, uncleanness would prevent someone from attending a religious feast.
Saul Questions Jonathan
On the second day Saul asked Jonathan why David was absent.
Jonathan repeated the story David had prepared—that David had requested permission to visit his family in Bethlehem.
Saul immediately exploded in anger.
His response exposed his true motives.
Saul publicly insulted Jonathan with a humiliating expression directed at his mother.
In the ancient world, insulting a person’s parent in public was a deeply shameful act.
Saul then revealed the real reason for his hatred of David.
He argued that as long as David lived, Jonathan would never inherit the throne.
Saul tried to disguise his selfish ambition as concern for his family.
But when Jonathan asked what David had done to deserve death, Saul threw a javelin at him.
At that moment Jonathan realized the truth.
Saul was not acting for his family—he was acting for himself.
Saul’s carnal heart had made him willing even to kill his own son.
The Danger of Carnal Christianity
This scene demonstrates how a believer who walks in the flesh can become a tool of the enemy.
When we allow carnality to control our hearts:
- The devil gains a foothold
- Relationships suffer
- Godly people may be attacked by fellow believers
Many Christians can testify to times when the devil used them to say something destructive to another believer.
Apart from the grace of God, such situations often produce deep wounds.
Jonathan left the feast in fierce anger and grief.
He was grieved both for David and for the shameful behaviour of his father.
Saul’s self-serving attitude was destroying his relationships—even within his own family.
3. Saul’s Intentions Revealed (1 Samuel 20:35–42)
Jonathan Gives the Signal
The following morning Jonathan went to the field as planned.
He brought a young servant with him and shot an arrow.
When the servant ran to retrieve it, Jonathan called out:
“Is not the arrow beyond thee?”
This was the signal David had been waiting for.
Saul still intended to kill him.
Jonathan then sent the boy away quickly, creating an opportunity for a final meeting with David.
The Farewell Between David and Jonathan
Once the servant was gone, David emerged from his hiding place.
The chapter closes with one of the most emotional scenes in Scripture.
These two faithful friends embraced and wept together as they prepared to part.
From this point forward David would spend years fleeing from Saul.
The two friends would likely never meet again.
Indeed, David was still in exile when Saul and Jonathan later died in battle against the Philistines.
A Lesson About God’s Leading
Sometimes God leads us down paths that separate us from people we love.
In ministry this often happens when God calls believers to new places of service.
When God is working in a church, there is often movement:
- People being saved
- People being trained
- People being sent out
Although these separations can be painful, we trust that God knows what is best.
Our responsibility is simply to remain faithful wherever God places us.
Conclusion
David’s experience reminds us to take the enemy seriously and remain spiritually alert.
At the same time, Saul’s life warns us about the dangers of carnality.
When believers allow selfishness and pride to control their hearts, relationships suffer and the devil gains an opportunity to work.
Therefore we must guard our hearts carefully.
We must be vigilant so that we never allow ourselves to become a tool of the enemy.