BFF is one of those acronyms that originated from the
internet. It means “best friends forever.” Best friends are commonly talked
about on the internet. There’s even a bunch of best friend jokes. One such
example is “A friend will bail you out of jail, but your best friend will be
standing next to you saying ‘Dude that was awesome!’” 1 Samuel has already
established David and Jonathan as best friends. 1 Samuel 20 will show how close
the two best friends are.
Even though Saul is in the presence of the Spirit of the
Lord, prophesying, David knows he can’t stay there too long until Saul catches
up with him. So he takes the time to go back to Jonathan and meet up with him.
David expresses in rhetorical questions the same proofs Jonathan gave to his
father Saul when persuading Saul not to kill David. David has done nothing
sinful, evil or wrong, so why is Saul trying to punish like he is guilty of
some crime? Jonathan insists that his father is planning no such thing because
he claims that his father tells him everything. So if Saul were trying to kill
David, Jonathan claims that Saul would have told him. In verse 3, the NIV Bible
says “David took an oath…” In this context, it doesn’t mean making a promise or
a covenant. It’s just a statement saying that what he is saying is true. In
other words, it’s like David is saying in our language, “I swear you father
knows…” What does David swear Saul knows? David swears Saul knows how close
David and Jonathan are, and that Saul won’t tell Jonathan any thoughts he has
about David, in fear Jonathan will rat out Saul to David. So now Jonathan wants
a way to prove his loyalty to David.
David concocts a plan to expose Saul. First, David won’t
show up for the New Moon festival; he’ll be in hiding. If Saul to were to ask
for his whereabouts, Jonathan would simply answer that David went home to
celebrate the festival with his family. If Saul was OK with it, then David is
safe. But if Saul got angry about it, then David is in danger. It’s pure
genius, if you think about it. David keeps a safe distance from Saul. Jonathan
does not have to confront or accuse his father; all he has to do is simply
answer about David’s whereabouts when his father asks. Jonathan is about to
agree to it when David throws in another clause. David tells Jonathan that
Jonathan does indeed find out about guilty wrongdoing David has committed, then
Jonathan should at least do the executing himself. On one hand, I think that
David asked that simply because he didn’t want to give Saul the pleasure of
killing. On another hand, since David mentioned Jonathan’s kindness, David
probably believes that if Jonathan were to kill him, Jonathan would be more
merciful, while as Saul would torture him. Jonathan cannot agree to that term.
But they come across another problem: how will David find out the answer?
Jonathan has a plan for that, but first, he wants more
assurance and security about the friendship. Something is about to happen to
their friendship. Through David and Jonathan’s plan, Jonathan will expose
Saul’s heart toward David. Both David and Jonathan are expecting the worst, and
rightfully so. Saul’s hostility towards David will make Saul and David rivals
and enemies. As we’ll see, it will put great strain and hostility between not
only these men, but their families as a whole. Jonathan wants to make sure that
David and his family will always see Jonathan and his family as friends, and
never see them as enemies. Both David and Jonathan make covenant, agreeing to
do so, and it will be shown in their kindness toward each other.
Now Jonathan explains his plan on how to reveal the answer
to David. David is to come out of hiding and go to the rock Ezel (Ezel in
Hebrew means “the way” or “the departure”). Jonathan will go out and make it
look like he’s practicing shooting his bow and arrow. Jonathan will shoot 3
arrows. If the arrows fall nearby, then David is safe and he can return back.
But if the arrows fall far away, then David must leave immediately. Jonathan
adds more genius to this plan. In this way, Jonathan can communicate to David
the message without talking directly to David and risking David’s life by
exposing him. In verse 23, Jonathan closes by once again reminding David that
no matter the outcome, their families will always show love and kindness to
each other. This promise is very important to Jonathan!
The plan goes into effect in 1 Samuel 20:24 . The New Moon
Festival begins. The New Moon festival was both a religious and social festival
and it is outlined in Numbers
28:11-16 . On the day of the full moon, also known as the first day
of the month, a burnt offering, a grain offering, a drink offering and a sin
offering were to be presented. If anyone wanted to present a peace/fellowship
offering, this would be the time to do it. In the following evening, the Israelites
would “celebrate” by holding a feast (this tradition was added later. Later on,
the Israelites would also get the work day off). Being a religious festival,
when Saul sees that David isn’t there the first day, Saul naturally assumes
that David made himself unclean because those who are unclean cannot
participate in religious festivals (see Leviticus 7:20-21 ). But then comes the next day, just a
plain, old, regular day, where it doesn’t matter whether you’re clean or not.
So now Saul is really curious to why David isn’t there. Saul asks Jonathan
about David’s whereabouts, knowing that David and Jonathan are good friends.
Notice in verse 27 that Saul calls his own son-in-law not by his name, but “the
son of Jesse.” Saul is already distancing himself from David emotionally and
socially. Jonathan answers verbatim to what he rehearsed: David is celebrating
the New Moon still back with his family.
The Bible tells us that not didn’t get just anger. The Bible
says Saul’s anger flared up. His anger is like a fire! Saul calls Jonathan, his
own son, a “son of a perverse and rebellious woman.” It’s a derogatory insult
that attacks the person’s mother and in turn attacks the person. Once again,
excuse me for the language, but Saul calls his own son a son of bitch! And as Proverbs 15:1 says, Saul’s harsh
word led to Jonathan giving a harsh word to his father. In chapter 19, the
reader hears Jonathan calmingly and gently persuading his father. Now Jonathan
angrily asks his father to bring forth at least one true accusation against
Saul. This harsh word leads to a harsh action. Saul now tries to kill his own
son the same way he tries to kill David! Jonathan storms off in anger, but his
anger quickly turns to grief. He is so sad, he can’t eat.
Now David’s part of the plan is finished, it’s up to
Jonathan’s part of the plan. David place himself exactly where Jonathan told
him. Jonathan brings a small boy with him to fetch the arrows he shoots. As the
boy is running, Jonathan shoots an arrow beyond him. Pay close attention to
what Jonathan says in verses 37 and 38. “Isn’t the arrow beyond you? Hurry! Go
quickly! Don’t stop!” Jonathan may be saying this to both his arrow boy and
David. Saying such words would send the message to David without David having
to speak directly to Jonathan. The best part is the message is even conveyed
without the boy even knowing what Jonathan is saying and who he’s really saying
it too.
Despite the success in communicating the message, Jonathan
isn’t satisfied with it. He has to see David one last time because this might
be the last time Jonathan sees David, and indeed it is. Jonathan sends the boy
away so he can meet up with David. They kiss and cry. Jonathan one more time
reminds David of the covenant promise, as this will be the last time Jonathan
can remind David.
Now notice that since verse 10. That’s about 30 verses of
David not talking. The author did that on purpose. The author is trying to
display how vulnerable David is. David has to go in hiding and patiently wait.
David has to depend on Jonathan to go through with the plan and bring him
valuable information. Most importantly, David has to rely on David to stick to
his hand and not turn to his father’s side. David is helpless, and he has to
depend on God and his best friend Jonathan to help him.
I hate to do this, but once again, I have to remind you that
this in no way means that David and Jonathan are a gay couple. The actions seen
in the end 1 Samuel 20
may not be socially acceptable acts for two friends in 21st century America , but indeed they were in ancient Israel
One more thing I notice. If you look closely at the covenant
David and Jonathan make, Jonathan seems to very certain of David’s future, but not certain of Jonathan’s own future.
Jonathan blesses David left and right, but seems to ask very little of David,
just to remember his family. I believe what Jonathan is doing is acknowledging
David as the legitimate king of Israel Israel
For anyone looking for an application, I think the best
application is that Jonathan models for the reader what a best friend truly is
like. A best friend sticks for his/her friend when he/she is right, even when
everyone else says he/she is wrong. A best friend helps his/her friend in times
of need. A best friend protects his/her friend from harm. Best friends keep
promises with each other. Best friends are happy when good things happen to one
of the friends. Lastly, best friends stay best friends, even when they are not
together. If you ever find yourself struggling with friendships, take a look at
the friendship between David and Jonathan. One of the phrases that sticks out
to me is that Jonathan “loved David as he loved himself.” Do you love your
friends as you love yourself? If you’re not, there’s a good start. I bet if you
apply these, you’ll find your friend to be a true BFF.
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