When you have stayed three days, hurry down to the place you hid on the day this trouble began, and remain beside the stone Ezel. Sermons
1 Samuel 20:11-23. (THE OPEN COUNTRY, NEAR GIBEAH.) And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David (ver. 16). The friendship of Jonathan and David was expressed and confirmed by a sacred covenant (1 Samuel 18:3). The covenant now made differed from the former. 1. It was made at a time of trial. Their friendship was put to a severe test; for it had become clear to the mind of Jonathan that David was destined to be king (ver. 13), as he afterwards stated more fully (1 Samuel 23:17) "Jonathan caused David to swear again" (ver. 17), not because he distrusted him, but "because he loved him: for he loved him as be loved his own soul;" and in times of special danger such repeated and solemn assurances may be needful and beneficial. 2. It included the obligation to show kindness to the house of Jonathan as well as himself. Consider it as - I. CONFIRMED BY AN APPEAL TO GOD. It was customary in making a covenant (contract or agreement) to take an oath in which God was appealed to as a witness and an avenger of its violation (Genesis 26:28; Genesis 31:45-53). Even when no such appeal is expressly made it should be remembered - 1. That he observes the promises and engagements which men make to one another, and keeps a faithful record thereof (Malachi 3:16). 2. That he loves to see truth and faithfulness in their speech and conduct (Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 32:4). 3. That he manifests his displeasure toward those who neglect or violate their engagements (Ezekiel 17:9). 4. That he shows favour and affords help to those who strive to keep them faithfully. "Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord" (Psalm 24:4; Psalm 15:4; Ephesians 4:25). II. DEEPENING THE SENSE OF OBLIGATION. In some cases a covenant creates a new obligation; in others (like that of friendship) it intensifies the force and feeling of it - 1. By the solemn manner in which it is made. 2. By the greater definiteness in which the obligation is expressed. 3. By the permanent record which is formed of it in the memory, often associated with particular places and objects (Joshua 24:27). 4. And this is important as an incentive to faithfulness in temptation arising from self-interest and strong passion to set it aside. As often as Jonathan and David remembered their sacred covenant they would be impelled to ever higher love and faithfulness. III. CONTRIBUTING TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH. "By Jehovah," etc. (ver. 12). "And O that thou wouldst while I live show me kindness," etc. (ver. 14). Each received as well as gave assurances of kindness, which served - 1. To afford a claim that might be confidently urged in difficulty and danger (ver. 8). 2. To enrich the soul with a permanent feeling of pure and elevating joy. "Very pleasant hast thou been to me" (2 Samuel 1:26). 3. To preserve it from despondency in hours of darkness and trouble. 4. To increase its aspiration and endeavour after all that is excellent. The continued loyalty of David to Saul and his acts of kindness to him were doubtless greatly incited by the love of Jonathan; and the latter was not less morally strengthened and blessed by the love of David. "There is no influence on a feeling mind stronger than the sense of being loved; nothing more elevating, more securing to the inner life." IV. INVOLVING THE WELFARE OF OTHERS. "And that thou wouldst not cut off thy kindness from my house forever," etc. (vers. 15, 23). "His request that his house may be excepted from this judgment, as executor of which he regards David, is founded on and justified by his position outside the circle of 'enemies' (since he recognises God's will concerning David, and bends to it as David's friend), so that, though a member of Saul's house, he does not belong to it as concerns the judgment of extermination" (Erdmann). 1. A parent naturally desires and ought to seek the welfare of his family. 2. He may by his faithful conduct do much to promote it. 3. For the sake of one many are frequently and justly spared and blessed. "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake" (2 Samuel 9:1). 4. The memory of the good is a perpetual incitement to goodness. Learn - 1. The wonderful condescension of God in making with men a friendly covenant (arrangement, constitution, dispensation), according to which be graciously assures them of unspeakable privileges and blessings (Genesis 9:14; Jeremiah 31:33; Galatians 3:15-18). 2. The sure ground which is thereby afforded for confidence and "strong consolation." 3. The necessity of observing the appointed conditions thereof. 4. To look to God for all good through "Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant" (Hebrews 12:24), and "for Christ's sake" (Ephesians 4:32). - D.
Thou shalt be missed. There are two aspects of truth in these words. One fact is plain enough; the vacant chair will one day be our own. I do not say that the highest motive that can inspire us is to be found in a desire to be gratefully remembered. No; Christian duty has its highest motives in the love of Christ, and in devotion to the right as right.I. THERE IS A RECOGNITION OF REALITY ALL AROUND AND ABOUT US. Men are for the most part known for what they verily are. II. THERE ARE GRADUATED SPHERES OF INFLUENCE. III. THERE ARE CAPACITIES INDIVIDUAL TO OURSELVES. Each Life is a separate creation of God's. No two dogs even have the same countenances. IV. THERE IS A RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP. We cannot feel alike to all if we would. (W. M. Statham.) Thy seat shall be empty 1. I point out to you the father's vacant chair.2. I go a little farther on in your house, and I find the mother's vacant chair. 3. I go on a little further, and I come to the invalid's chair. 4. I pass on, and I find one more vacant chair. It is a high chair. It is the child's chair. If that chair be occupied, I think it is the most potent chair in all the household. (T. De Witt Talmage.) People Abner, David, Jesse, Jonathan, SaulPlaces Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Naioth, RamahTopics Abide, Beside, Business, Certainly, Cover, Evening, Eventful, Ezel, Greatly, Hast, Heap, Hid, Hidden, Hide, Hill, Matter, Missed, Noted, Quickly, Specially, Stayed, Stone, Third, Thyself, Trouble, Wait, Waiting, Wast, YonderOutline 1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath 18. Jonathan's token to David 23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan 35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David Dictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 20:19Library Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship'And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2. And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. 3. And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Word for the Persecuted How to Make Use of Christ for Steadfastness, in a Time when Truth is Oppressed and Borne Down. Samuel Links 1 Samuel 20:19 NIV1 Samuel 20:19 NLT 1 Samuel 20:19 ESV 1 Samuel 20:19 NASB 1 Samuel 20:19 KJV 1 Samuel 20:19 Bible Apps 1 Samuel 20:19 Parallel 1 Samuel 20:19 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 20:19 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 20:19 French Bible 1 Samuel 20:19 German Bible 1 Samuel 20:19 Commentaries Bible Hub |