What is the main point of Jonathan and David’s covenant in this passage?

The heart of the covenant is loyal kindness that lasts beyond their own lives. Jonathan promises to warn and protect David if Saul plans evil against him. In return, Jonathan asks David to show “the kindness of the Lord” to him while he lives and to his family after he dies. He looks ahead to the time when God will remove David’s enemies and set him in safety. Their agreement is not just a private deal, but a promise before God that their houses will show mercy to each other.

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

Jonathan understands that God will one day remove David’s enemies and give him victory. As Saul’s son, Jonathan could easily become counted among those enemies when David becomes strong. So he asks David to remember their friendship and show mercy to his family even after he is gone. This shows Jonathan’s faith in God’s plan for David and his humble trust in David’s character. He is more concerned for ongoing kindness than for his own position as the king’s son.

What is the meaning of Jonathan’s arrow signal to David?

The arrow plan is a secret way to tell David whether it is safe to return or not. Jonathan will go to the field with a young boy and shoot arrows near the stone where David hides. If he tells the boy the arrows are on this side, it means peace and David can come back. If he says the arrows are beyond, David must leave, because danger remains and God is sending him away. This quiet signal protects Jonathan from Saul’s suspicion and protects David’s life at the same time.

Why was David’s empty seat at Saul’s table so important?

David’s empty seat is the test Jonathan uses to see Saul’s true feelings. At the new moon feast, David should be at the king’s table. On the first day, Saul assumes David is unclean from some event and stays quiet. On the second day, when David is still absent, Saul questions Jonathan. Jonathan gives the agreed story that David went to Bethlehem for a family sacrifice. Saul’s reaction to this absence will show whether he still plans to kill David or will let him live in peace.

What does the phrase ‘the Lord be between thee and me for ever’ mean here?

When Jonathan says “the Lord be between thee and me for ever,” he is asking God to stand as witness and judge over their friendship and promises. It means their covenant is not based only on feelings but on God’s presence and oversight. Even if they are apart, God remains between them. He sees if they keep their word, and he is the one who will bless or punish based on their faithfulness. This gives their agreement a deep, lasting seriousness.

Why did Jonathan risk angering his father Saul to help David?

Jonathan loved David as his own soul and knew God’s hand was on David. He could see that Saul’s anger was unjust and driven by jealousy, not by righteousness. Because of that, Jonathan chose loyalty to what God was doing over blind loyalty to his father’s rage. He was willing to face a rough answer, shame, or even danger from Saul if that meant protecting David. His choice shows a costly friendship that puts truth, love, and obedience to God above family pressure.

What does this passage show about Saul’s heart toward David?

Even before Saul explodes in anger later in the story, this section hints at his growing hostility. He watches David’s empty seat, suspects something, and quickly asks where “the son of Jesse” is, using a cold title instead of David’s name. He assumes David is unclean rather than giving him the benefit of the doubt. The need for a secret signal and a hiding place already shows that Saul is not safe for David. His heart has turned from favor to suspicion and planned harm.

How does Jonathan’s promise to David relate to God’s providence?

Jonathan’s words show that he believes God is guiding events. He speaks of God cutting off David’s enemies and of the Lord sending David away if danger remains. He accepts that God will raise David up and rearrange the kingdom. Instead of fighting that, Jonathan works within it, helping to protect the one God has chosen. His covenant with David fits into what God is already doing, showing that human loyalty and God’s providence can work together in the same story.

How can the friendship of Jonathan and David in this passage challenge our friendships today?

Their friendship goes far beyond shared interests or good feelings. Jonathan is willing to put his own safety and status at risk to protect David. They bring God into their promises and think about future generations, not just their own comfort. For us, this can raise honest questions: Are we ready to stand by friends when it costs us something? Do we keep our word even when it is hard? Do we see our relationships as something God cares about, not just private matters?

1Sam.20.10

1 Samuel 20:10

KJV

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

¶ And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

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;

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.

And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:

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.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

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.

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

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.

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.

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever.

¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

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.

Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

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?

And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:

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.

Cross References

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