1 Samuel 19:7-20:3.
Jonathan, as we have remarked before, figures to us a true Christian who loves the Lord, but does not want to follow the Lord in His rejection. Such a person tries to speak well of the Lord before the world, and for a time the world may listen, as Saul here, but sooner or later their enmity comes out. It cannot be hidden. Then the test comes as to whether we are prepared to go out “unto Him,... bearing His reproach.” This test was soon to come for Jonathan.
No sooner had David returned to Saul’s court, than war broke out again with the Philistines and David slew a great number of them. This stirred Saul’s envy and hatred again, and David had to flee for his life. In spite of the world’s fair promises, they are at enmity with God. They hate Christ, and this is not just the Christian’s opinion—it is the Word of God. The Lord Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18. Michal, David’s wife, helped David to get away, but she was Saul’s daughter, and one fears she did not go with him in her heart.
David then fled to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done. When Saul heard that David was with Samuel, he sent messengers to take him, but when the messengers came, the power of the Spirit of God came upon them and they prophesied. Saul sent messengers three times to take David, but in each case they prophesied and did not take David captive. At last Saul himself came down, and he too came under the power of the Spirit of God and prophesied, but alas, to his own shame and nakedness. Poor Saul, his course now was steadily downward in spite of all his pretensions and profession. His life is a sad example of one who has profession without reality. What an awful thing this is! One feels there is much of it today too. There will be a terrible awakening when the Lord comes and the door is shut forever upon these enlightened lands of Christendom.
After this David went to Jonathan and asked him why his father hated him so, but Jonathan still would not believe that his father really sought David’s life, and he tried to comfort David. He said that his father would not kill him without telling him (Jonathan) about his plans. David told Jonathan that his father knew of the friendship between them and therefore did not tell him of his plans. Jonathan again reminds us of a worldly Christian who does not believe the real enmity of the, world, but tries to keep on good terms with it, yet loving the Lord and wanting to enjoy His company too. This is an impossibility and only ends in dishonor to the Lord, for He has said, “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.” John 12:26. Happy privilege to be where He is, for no man can serve two masters!
David then asked Jonathan to find out exactly how Saul felt toward him. He knew, but he wanted Jonathan to see for himself. There is nothing like talking about the Lord Jesus Christ to others, to find out just where they stand. It soon comes out. The world will have the Christian’s company only if he does not talk of Christ. If he talks about Him, they soon let him alone. Christ is still the rejected One.
ML 10/31/1954