International Sunday School Lessons
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17. Lesson XI.—Sunday, December 15, 1895.
32. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? 33. And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 34. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. 35. And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out to the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. 36. And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37. And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? 38. And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. 39. But the lad knew not anything: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40. And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. 41. And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. Golden Text: “There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. (1) What principal events took place between the slaying of Goliath and the present lesson? Note 1. (2) How did Jonathan answer Saul? Ver. 32. (3) What response did the king make? Ver. 33. (4) What did this act reveal to Jonathan? (5) What did he think of? Ver. 33. (6) What was his state of mind? Same verse. Note 2. (7) What did Jonathan do in the morning? Verse 35. Note 3. (8) What command did he give the lad, and what did he do? Verse 36. (9) What sign did he give to David? Verse 37. See note 3. (10) How did he indicate the danger? Verse 38, first clause. (11) What part did the lad act? Verses 38, 39. (12) What disposition was made of the boy? Ver. 40. Note 4. (13) Describe the meeting of the young men. Verse 41. Note 5. (14) With what words did they part? Verse 42. Note 6. 1. The time of this lesson is some time, perhaps a year, after the slaying of Goliath by David. After that event, Saul kept David with him at his court, where he behaved himself wisely, gaining the friendship of the people, and playing before Saul as had been his custom on similar occasions before the war. Now, however, the king looked upon the young man with a jealous eye, because of the greater praise ascribed to David over the results of the battle described in the previous lesson. It will be remembered that the people went forth to meet the conquerors with songs and dancing, as was the custom of those times, shouting, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Three times after this Saul, in a fit of jealous rage, hurled a javelin at the musician performing before him, the last occasion being after he had recalled David from banishment, and reinstated him in his former position. Before this latter event, however, and not long, evidently, after David’s permanent call to the court, the king made David captain of a thousand, removed him from his immediate presence, and gave him his daughter Michal to wife. David’s increasing popularity only increased the king’s unreasoning hatred, and finally led to the king’s open declaration to take his life. During this time a remarkable friendship had existed between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, which quite likely had its beginning when David was first called before Saul in the capacity of musician, but was sealed after the battle in which David acted so leading a part. Thereafter Jonathan stood bravely for his friend against every plot of the king, and once persuaded the king to extend his favor to his son-in-law. Chapter 19:6. After this David fled to Samuel, in Ramah, where he was pursued by the king. This brings us near the text of the present lesson. The feast of the new moon was at hand, at which time Saul hoped David would appear in his place at the king’s table. David feared to present himself, and arranged a secret meeting with Jonathan, where the matter was discussed, and Jonathan agreed to learn the king’s intention concerning David. After pledging anew their friendship, a meeting place was appointed at the rock Ezel, where David was to remain hidden; a plan was arranged for making known the king’s purpose at another meeting in the near future, and Jonathan betook himself to the feast. On the second day the king inquired for David. His faithful friend excused his absence, but was at once accused by the enraged king of aiding his alleged enemy. He was commanded to fetch him, that he might be slain. Here the lesson text begins. Chapters 18, 19, and 20 are necessary to the full understanding of the lesson story. The court of Saul, the royal palace, was at Gibeah, four miles north of Jerusalem. 2. It is stated that Jonathan arose from the table “in fierce anger,” but that “he was grieved for David” because of the insult to him. This reveals the cause and nature of his wrath. It was not anger towards his father on his own account, but because of the king’s unreasonable hatred of David, his friend. His anxiety was for him; it was David who filled his thoughts. This was indeed a love that sought not its own welfare. In his love for David he exemplified that love which loves its neighbor as itself, even as it is written of him, “Jonathan loved him [David] as his own soul.” 1 Sam. 18:1. 3. This was in accordance with the plan already agreed upon between Jonathan and David. See verses 18-23. Jonathan was to proceed to the field as though for archery practice. He would then shoot arrows near David’s hiding place, and when the lad accompanying him was sent for them, he would make known to David the king’s purpose by the words spoken to the boy, as already outlined. If he should say to the lad the arrows were on “this side,” it meant peace and safety; if “beyond” him, danger and exile. 4. Bows and arrows and other weapons were called artillery long before the invention of firearms.—Webster. 5. The whole evil design of the king had been made known, as David had foreboded. There was no need for further explanations, and, bowed down by grief, and oppressed by the king’s wrath, the two brother-friends wept upon each other’s necks, for they knew that henceforth, far more than heretofore, their paths must diverge. One was a refugee, an outlaw; the other, the prince of the realm, whose services would be demanded by the king in hunting down the former. For the special part he had taken in warnings of and friendship to David, God had raised him up,—to help preserve his anointed. “David exceeded,” that is, could not control his emotions, but wept aloud. 6. Two times before this these friends had pledged themselves to an everlasting friendship. At their parting this covenant is again referred to, and once again, at the only recorded meeting of David and Jonathan after this time—in the wilderness (chapter 23:16)—it was again confirmed. We may well look with admiration upon the noble character displayed by the young prince Jonathan. Had he possessed aught of the disposition manifested by his father, his ambition must have led him to fear and hate one whom he knew to be destined to occupy the throne after Saul. Although he was solicitous for the safety of his family in the land (chapter 20:14, 15), yet there is no evidence that his friendship was professed for hope of personal gain. David himself, lamenting for Jonathan after the death of the latter, testified, “Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” 2 Sam. 1:26. The love that thus knit together the souls of these friends is typical, so far as earthly love can be, of the love of Christ our Saviour for every soul, and of the friendship he longs to establish with every one. The words of the memory verse, “There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” reveal only the beginnings of this enduring love. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love,” says the Lord. Jer. 31:3.