Justin Houtz

1 Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

DateVersionReading Plan
April 18, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

1 Samuel 20-21

Observation & Interpretation

After David fled from Naioth to Ramah, he inquired of Jonathan what was his guilt that Saul should seek his life (v. 1). Jonathan assured David that he shall not die and told David that Saul did not do anything without disclosing it to him (v. 3). With the new moon approaching and David’s presence requisite, David proposed a way in which it could be determined whether it would be safe for him to attend the feast. Jonathan called on God to be witness to this plan, making a covenant with David and told David to swear again by his love for him (v. 17). Jonathan then set forth the plan in which he would inform David of Saul’s intent. He told David that he would attend the feast with his father and let David know through a subsequent activity of shooting arrows at a mark if Saul’s desire was to kill David. This played out and Jonathan came to know that Saul did indeed purpose to kill David. In the arrow shooting activity that followed, Jonathan followed through in the agreed-upon means of apprising David of Saul’s malicious objective.

Application

Particularly remarkable is the strength of relationship between David and Jonathan in this instance. It is worth noting that David’s death would have likely resulted in Jonathan inheriting the throne. Despite this, Jonathan was loyal to his friend, loving him even as he loved his own soul. It is a type of love that exemplifies the words of Prov. 18:24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Such friendship is difficult to obtain and cultivate in another human being, but one that is promised to us in Christ. In John 15 where Jesus is speaking to His disciples, He says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15: 14-15). What joy should this engender within us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, bringing us from death to new life in Him, adopting as sons and daughters of the Most High God such that He actually calls us “friends”. This is the friendship for which we have been created and eagerly long. Praise be to our God who extends His grace in such a way that are deemed His friend.

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