2. (1 Sam 20:30-34) Saul is enraged when he learns of David's absence
Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die." But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.
Saul's anger burned against Jonathan: As David had probably expected, his absence from the feast at the palace fueled Saul's burning hatred toward David. Saul may have intended to murder David at the banquet, but the absence of David marred his plot. Moreover, Saul may have been even more infuriated knowing that David had anticipated a possible murder attempt and cleverly arranged for his absence from the feast. Additionally, Saul's own son, Jonathan, helped David carry out his plan and openly sympathized with Saul's enemy.
You son of a perverse, rebellious woman: To anyone from the East, there is nothing so grievously insulting as a reproach cast upon one's mother. The mother herself is not held to be affronted in such case; however, the son who hears such words applied to her is insulted and meant to be insulted beyond making amends.
To the shame of your mother's nakedness: This is not to insult Jonathan's mother, but it is an expression which would be better translated in English as, "She will feel ashamed at having brought such a son into the world."
Neither you nor your kingdom shall be established: Although Samuel had long before this declared to Saul, in the name of the LORD, that the kingdom should not continue with him nor descend to his posterity, yet, Saul seems to have had hopes that he should be able to prevent this declaration from being verified by his policy and taking proper measures.
Why should he be put to death? What has he done?: Jonathan responded by defending David. His support of David was for the right reasons. David had committed no sins against Saul. Jonathan's support of David enraged Saul, and Saul brandishes his spear to show his deep hatred of David. Saul hated David so much he was willing to kill his own son for siding with David.
Then Saul hurled his spear at him: When Jonathan pleaded for his friend David, Saul did not "hurl" his spear, but like the Hebrew in 1 Samuel 18:11, Saul simply lifted his spear in a threatening manner without actually throwing it.
2. (1 Sam 20:35-40) Jonathan reports to David through the signal of arrows
Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him. He said to the lad, "Run, find the arrows which I am about to shoot." As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him. When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?" And Jonathan called after the lad, "Hurry, be quick, do not stay!" And Jonathan's lad picked up the arrow and came to his master. But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter. Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, "Go, bring them to the city."
He shot an arrow past him: This was the sign agreed upon if Saul intended evil for Saul. One can only imagine the trepidation of both Jonathan and David. David was eagerly awaiting the message from his friend, Jonathan. Was he to stay in the palace or was he to flee for his life? At the same time, Jonathan knew this would be one of the last times he would see his friend. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Jonathan to have to tell David he must flee for his life.
Is not the arrow beyond you: It took courage for Jonathan to communicate with David, even secretly because he knew that if his father became aware of it, he would focus his murderous rage against Jonathan. Jonathan had made a commitment to David to warn his friend of any danger.
Hurry, be quick, do not stay: Although Jonathan trusted the youth who was with him, he still hurried his servant away from the place where he shot the arrows--a place very close to where David was hiding. David upon hearing his fate would want to escape from his hiding place and see Jonathan. Jonathan, knowing this, commands the young lad to quickly return to him.
Jonathan and David knew about the matter: A small thing--the signal from the shooting of three arrows--told David his whole life was about to change. He was no longer welcomed at the palace. He was no longer welcomed among the army of Israel. He could no longer go home. David was now a fugitive on the run from an angry, jealous king determined to destroy him.
Go, bring them to the city: Wanting to get rid of the boy, Jonathan sends the boy back to the palace with his bow and arrows.
3. (1 Sam 20:41-42) The tearful farewell of David and Jonathan
When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more. Jonathan said to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.'" Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.
Fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times: As a token of reverence and loyalty to the king's son, David shows great respect and honor to his friend. An Oriental when he meets a superior, kneels down and touched the ground with his forehead. ("Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground" Genesis 42:6.)
They kissed each other and wept together: David and Jonathan loved each other and had a strong bond of friendship. Jonathan and David probably envisioned working together as friends both before and after the time David would become king. But now, all that was gone. David could not stay, and Jonathan could not go with David.
But David wept the more: If Jonathan had reason to weep, David had more reasons. The pain of being apart was bad enough, but it was worse for David. He was to be cut off from everything and was now destine to live the life of a fugitive for many years.
Go in safety: Jonathan knew he might never see David again. In fact, David and Jonathan will only meet once more, shortly before Jonathan's death. Yet, as David now left for a life of hiding and danger, Jonathan could send David away in safety because they both agreed to honor each other not only in life, but also to honor each other's families beyond their own lifetimes.
The abruptness of the closing words is most natural and accords with the evident deep emotion of the two friends. David's heart was too heavy to reply to his friend's words. Blinded with tears, David seems to have hurried away speechless.
Then he arose and departed: David will not return to a normal life until Saul is dead, and David is king. This was a pretty hard road for David to walk, but it was God's road for him. God often has His people spend at least some time on a bleak road. And some (think about Job, Joseph, Paul and Jesus) He appoints to spend a lot of time in great straits. This time for David was vital in his life--it was a time in which God taught David to depend on God alone. David needed to learn to let God be his defense and promoter. David needed this time in order to learn to submit to God's authority, even when he would be highly exalted as King of Israel.
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