- What was David’s purpose in seeking Jonathan?
What request did Jonathan in turn make of David?
What components of true friendship does the relationship of these two men illustrate? - What characteristic of true ‘loyal love’ (20:14) does this passage reveal?
Compare it with:
(a) 1 Cor.13:4-7, and
(b) your own life. - When human need and ceremonial obligations conflict as in 21:6, what guidance do we find here as to the right course to take?
Cf. Matt.12:3-8.
Notes
- 20:6. Such were the standards of morality that even the best of the people seemed to have no scruples in using lies and deception to save life.
See 19:17; 20:28, 29; 21:2. But note how deceit brought down Saul’s wrath upon Jonathan (20:30), just as it brought disaster upon Ahimelech and his associates (22:18, 19). - 20:14. Cf. 2 Sam. 9:3.
- 20:23, 42. The idea of God being between two convenant partners to watch and to judge is illustrated by Gen. 31:49, 53.
- 20:26. Saul thought that ceremonial uncleanness accounted for David’s absence from the feast. See Lev. 7:19, 20.
- 21:7. ‘Detained before the Lord’: perhaps because of a vow.