1 Samuel 20

The Explanation

David came running. He was out of breath and his voice shook.

"What have I done?" he asked Jonathan. "What is my sin, that your father wants to kill me?"

Jonathan shook his head. "No, no. My father tells me everything. It isn't true."

But David looked straight at him. "Your father knows we are friends. He keeps it secret from you so you won't be sad. Jonathan, there is only one step between me and death."

One step. That is how close the danger was.

So the two friends made a plan out in the field, where nobody could hear. Tomorrow was the feast of the new moon, and David should have been at the king's table. Instead he would hide. If King Saul asked where David was, Jonathan would say David had gone home to Bethlehem. And then they would know: if Saul stayed calm, David was safe. If Saul got angry, David had to run.

But how would David hear the news while he was hiding? They thought of arrows. Jonathan would come to the field and shoot three arrows, as if he were just practising. He would send a boy to fetch them. If Jonathan called, "The arrows are on this side of you," David could come out. Safe. But if he called, "The arrows are beyond you," it meant: run, David. Run and don't come back.

Then they promised each other something before God. Whatever happened, they would always be kind to each other and to each other's children. "Yahweh is between you and me forever," Jonathan said.

The feast came. Saul sat in his usual seat by the wall. And there was David's place, empty. The first day Saul said nothing. The second day he growled, "Why doesn't the son of Jesse come to eat?"

Jonathan told him what they had agreed. And Saul exploded. He shouted terrible words at his own son. "As long as David lives, you will never be king! Go and get him. He must die!"

Jonathan did not back down. "Why should he die? What has he done?"

Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan. At his own son.

Jonathan stood up from the table, shaking with anger, and ate nothing all day. Not because of the spear. Because now he knew for certain: his father really wanted David dead.

The next morning Jonathan walked out to the field with a little boy. He shot an arrow, far, far past him. "Isn't the arrow beyond you?" he shouted. "Go fast! Hurry! Don't delay!"

The boy picked up the arrows and never knew a thing. But behind a stone, David heard every word. Beyond you. Run.

When the boy was gone, David came out. He bowed down to the ground three times. Then the two friends held each other and cried, and David cried the hardest of all.

"Go in peace," said Jonathan. "God is between me and you forever."

And David went.

What Does This Mean?

Jonathan was the king's son. If David disappeared, Jonathan would one day wear the crown. Helping David cost Jonathan everything, and he did it anyway.

That is what a real friend does. Not just say nice things, but stand up when it is dangerous. Jonathan stood in front of a spear for David.

The Common Thread

Jonathan gave up his crown so David could live. Many years later, Someone else from David's family gave up far more. Jesus, the true King, left His throne and gave His own life so that we could live. Jonathan lost a kingdom. Jesus lost everything, and He did it for people who were not even His friends yet.

For You

Is there someone at school who stands alone? Sitting next to that person can cost you something. Do it anyway. And if you promise something to a friend this week, keep it, even when it becomes difficult.

Talk About It

What do you think was the hardest part for Jonathan: the spear, or saying goodbye to David?

Who could you stand up for this week, even if other children laugh?

Praying Together

Lord God, thank You for friends. Make me brave like Jonathan, so I stand up for someone who needs me. And thank You for Jesus, who gave up everything for me. Amen.