1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20
Pursued by Saul to the very side of Samuel the prophet, David began to feel yet more deeply the rejection that was to be his as long as Saul lived.
The would-be murderer who sat on the throne of Israel had seemingly lost all respect for the servant of God since he could follow into Samuel's presence with intent to murder him who was the God-appointed king and the victor over the powerful giant Goliath. There Saul was made to acknowledge a power greater than that, of Satan whom he served, but there was no change in his heart. In New Testament days another king of Israel tried his best to kill the chosen One of God (Matt. 2:1-8, 13-161Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. (Matthew 2:1‑8)
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:13‑16)).
We may notice that David remains faithful to the king; he would have served Saul to the day of the latter's death, had he been permitted; he plans for no revenge, nor does he utter (as far as Scripture records) a word in anger against the man who so entirely without cause hated him. In all these respects David is a picture or type of Jesus; the One truly meek and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)) Who would not strive nor cry (Matt. 12:1919He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Matthew 12:19)), Who loved His enemies and did good to them that hated Him (Luke 6:2727But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, (Luke 6:27)), and Who came not to destroy men's lives but to save them, (Luke 9:55-5655But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (Luke 9:55‑56)).
David, though rejected by the willful king, finds some present consolation in Jonathan, who as we have seen, pictures the believing remnant of Israel. Jonathan could not believe that his father would kill David, but though he soon found out that the opposite was true, he preferred the position his natural birth gave him, to sharing the present rejection of the one whom lie recognized as the future king. This is evident from verse 13, as well as from Jonathan's later conduct, for henceforth, with one exception, David and Jonathan are parted for life.
Very touching are the incidents of this chapter, penned for us by the Holy Spirit. Jonathan was deeply attached to David, and David to Jonathan, but what consolation might have been David's had Jonathan but "esteemed the reproach" of David at its true value! And how great was Jonathan's loss? Eternity will tell.
Christian reader, what of the rejection of 'David's Lord today? Are you willing to share it, to keep His word and not deny His name (Rev. 3:88I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)); or does the world's favor claim you? Many are the warnings and admonitions of Scripture in view of our times and for ourselves. (See 1 John 2:15-1715Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17); Gal. 6:7-107Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7‑10); 2 Cor. 6:14-1814Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14‑18); 2 Tim. 2:15, 19-2215Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22)).
Christless soul, this Jesus, Son of God and Saviour of sinners, is the stone which was set at naught of the builders and has become the head of the corner; "neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). "Through this man, (whom David faintly foreshadowed), is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things". Acts 13:38-4138Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:38‑41).