Jonathan's Finest Hour

I. The Problem

Map - Gibeah to Naioth in Ramah and back again.

The tension between David’s realization and Jonathan’s unwillingness to believe evil about his father

Jonathan’s honor in respecting his father when his father isn’t worthy of it.

His father clearly doesn’t think much of Jonathan’s trust in the Lord

He has already had to talk his father out of killing David

Saul already tried to kill him once

II. The Plan

A. David’s Plan to Prove his Danger

the New Moon Festival

Israel used a Lunar Calendar, so every month began with the first visible crescent moon, and was 29-30 days long.

God commanded that special sacrifices be offered on the New Moon Festival for the whole nation (Num 28:11-15), that involved a burnt offering, a cereal offering, and a drink offering.

It was apparently customary to take the day off (Amos 8:5 ), so it made for a two-day weekend if the Sabbath came the day before or after.

It was faithfully observed before the exile, a fact that frustrated Yahweh since they didn’t really faithfully worship God (Isaiah 1:13-14 )

Paul Specifically indicates that Christians need not keep the New Moon Festival, though they may if they wish (Col 2:16 ).

Colossians 2:16 NKJV

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

According to Ezekiel 45:17, the New Moon Festival will be celebrated in the Millennial Kingdom

David’s Lie

B. The Covenant between David and Jonathan

It was an agreement to be mutually kind to one another

It did not allow for eliminating justice

The agreement was an expression of faith that God would one day make David King

C. Jonathan’s Plan to communicate

Why this elaborate communication plan?

The Lord has sent you away.

III. The Results

Ritual uncleanness

Saul’s dismissive title for David “Son of Jesse.”

Why Saul was so angry

Saul displays his anger

by profanity

by direct command

by trying to spear his son

Jonathan’s anger

Not for his own shameful treatment, but for David

Classic extreme example of “provoking your children to anger.”

IV. The Aftermath

David weeps more, as he has lost everything - great job, wife, house, his dearest friend, the ability to freely speak to family and other friends, any semblance of safety

There’s no evidence of any deficiency in David that would necessitate God doing this to him. If he had trusted any of these things more than God, certainly God might shake things up to get him to depend on God alone. But there’s no evidence he was doing that.

God often brings tragedy and suffering to strengthen us, not because we are in any way at fault or deficient, but because it will make us strong so we can serve him better later. Heb 12:5-11

Psalm 119:75 NKJV

I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.