What is happening between David, Jonathan, and Saul in this passage?

In this chapter David has fled from Saul and goes to Jonathan, Saul’s son, asking what he has done wrong and why Saul wants to kill him. Jonathan at first finds it hard to believe his father means to harm David, but David insists that his life is in danger. They agree on a plan during the new moon feast: David will stay away, and Jonathan will watch Saul’s reaction. Saul’s rage when David is absent proves his murderous intent. Jonathan then secretly warns David with the arrows signal, and they say a tearful goodbye, trusting God with the future.

What does David mean by saying there is but a step between me and death?

When David says there is only a step between him and death, he is describing how close he feels to being killed by Saul. He knows Saul has already tried to take his life and believes one wrong move could cost him everything. This shows David is not exaggerating his danger to gain sympathy. He is honest with Jonathan about the risk he faces, yet he still seeks God’s help through this trusted friend. It reminds us that faith does not ignore danger but brings it into the light before God and others.

Why did Jonathan stay loyal to David even against his father Saul?

Jonathan loved David as his own soul and had already entered into a covenant with him before God. He knew God’s hand was on David and that David had done nothing to deserve death. In this passage, Jonathan chooses to protect David even though it angers Saul and costs him his own safety and future claim to the throne. His loyalty shows a friendship built on truth, righteousness, and trust in God’s plan, not on personal gain. Jonathan is willing to lose position and favor to do what is right and keep his promise before the Lord.

What is the meaning of the covenant between David and Jonathan?

The covenant between David and Jonathan is a solemn promise made before God. They commit to protect each other and ask the Lord to watch over their agreement. Jonathan asks David to show him “the kindness of the Lord” while he lives and to keep showing kindness to his family even after he dies. This means their bond is not just personal affection but a lasting promise that will affect their descendants. The covenant recognizes that God is the true witness and judge, and that their friendship is tied to God’s unfolding plan for David’s kingdom.

Why did David and Jonathan use arrows as a secret signal?

David and Jonathan use arrows as a secret signal because Saul’s hatred has made it unsafe for David to come openly to the court. They agree that Jonathan will go to the field with a young servant and shoot arrows as if he is practicing. The words he says to the boy about the arrows’ location will carry a hidden message for David: if the arrows are “on this side,” David is safe to return; if they are “beyond,” David must flee. This careful plan shows how serious the danger is and how thoughtful Jonathan is in protecting his friend without drawing suspicion.

Why did Saul become so angry when David missed the new moon feast?

The new moon feast was a regular, formal gathering where Saul expected his leading men, including David, to sit at his table. When David’s seat is empty the first day, Saul thinks he might be ceremonially unclean. But when David is absent the second day, Saul questions Jonathan. When Jonathan gives the agreed story about David going to Bethlehem, Saul explodes in anger. His rage shows that he already saw David as a threat to his own rule and to Jonathan’s future kingdom. Saul’s attempt to spear Jonathan proves that his heart is set on killing David, no matter the cost.

Why does Jonathan ask David not to cut off kindness from his house forever?

Jonathan knows that God has chosen David and that one day David’s enemies will be removed. In light of this, Jonathan asks David to keep showing kindness to his family, even after Jonathan dies. In those days, new kings sometimes wiped out the previous king’s family. Jonathan is asking David, as a covenant friend, not to treat his descendants as enemies but to care for them. This shows Jonathan’s faith that God will raise David up and his concern for his children and household, trusting their future to David’s mercy and God’s promises.

How does this passage show what true friendship looks like?

This passage shows friendship that is honest, loyal, and willing to sacrifice. David trusts Jonathan enough to share his fear and danger. Jonathan listens, tests the situation, and then puts himself at risk to find the truth and protect David. They renew their covenant before God, thinking not only of themselves but of their future families. Their tears and parting words in the field show real affection, but their friendship is more than emotion. It is tied to doing what is right, keeping promises, and seeking God’s will even when it hurts.

What does this story teach about God’s plan in the middle of conflict?

This story takes place in a very tense time, with Saul’s jealousy, David’s danger, and Jonathan stuck between father and friend. Yet in all this, God’s plan is quietly moving forward. Jonathan’s words, “the Lord be with thee, as he hath been with my father,” show that he sees God’s hand guiding David’s future. The covenant they make, including care for Jonathan’s house when God cuts off David’s enemies, looks beyond the present crisis. It teaches that even when relationships break and danger rises, God is still working out His purposes through faithful people who trust Him.

1Sam.20.1

1 Samuel 20:1

KJV

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?

Jonathan Helps David

1 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.

4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

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 Beth-lehem 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?

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?

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

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.

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.

24 ¶ 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 Beth-lehem:

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.

Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan

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?

31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

35 ¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

41 ¶ And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Cross References

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