SERIES I --- THE NATION UNITES --- LESSON 22

FRIENDSHIP

ABSENT FROM THE KING’S TABLE

From 1 Samuel 20:1-17

It was no longer a secret that David was hiding with Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. Saul had discovered David’s hiding place and had come to capture him. But Adonai came upon Saul and caused him to prophesy with Samuel’s prophets. David knew that he would not be safe at Naioth so he returned to Jonathan. ‘What have I done wrong?’ David pleaded. ‘Why is your father so anxious to kill me?’ ‘But he isn’t,’ Jonathan argued. ‘He tells me everything he plans to do and I’m sure he wouldn’t hide this from me. No, I’m certain that he doesn’t plan to kill you.’ ‘Your father knows what good friends we are,’ David replied. ‘He doesn’t want to tell you this because he might hurt you. But as surely as Adonai and you are alive, I am one step away from death.’ ‘What can I do for you?’ Jonathan asked. ‘Usually, I eat with your father when the celebration of the new moon begins, which is tomorrow,’ David answered. ‘I will hide in the fields tomorrow and stay there until the evening of the third day. If your father misses me, he will probably ask you where I am. Tell him that you gave me permission to attend a family festival in Bethlehem. If he thinks that is good, then there is no trouble. But if he gets angry, we will know that he really does want to kill me. Since you and I have a sacred covenant, do this for me in kindness. However, if you think I’m guilty and deserve to die, kill me yourself, but don’t take me to your father to die.’ ‘Nonsense! Don’t you think I would know if my father was planning to kill you?’ Jonathan replied. ‘Who will tell me if your father is angry or not?’ David asked. ‘Let’s go out to the field,’ Jonathan suggested. Together they walked out to the field where David hid before. There Jonathan made a promise to David. ‘Adonai is my witness’ said Jonathan. ‘I will talk with my father about you and will come back here tomorrow, the next day at the latest. If he likes you, I would certainly tell you about it. But if he hates you and wants to hurt you, I promise you that you may escape to safety. Then may Adonai be with you as he once was with my father. Also, you must love me all my life and my children when I am gone. May Adonai destroy all your enemies and may you always remember my name in your household.’ Jonathan made this covenant with David. Then he asked David to swear again that he would be true to him, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

COMMENTARY

THE KING’S TABLE

David and Jonathan’s friendship deepened. Jonathan was not jealous even though he knew that someday David would be king. Jonathan, though he was the king’s son, would never rule Israel. Jonathan warned David of Saul’s murderous plots. In the Name of Adonai, he made a covenant of friendship with David. Friendship meant more to Jonathan than the throne. The lifestyle of Israel’s first king was not much different from that of any wealthy Israelite of the time. Servants prepared the main meal of the day for the cool late afternoon, just before the sunset left the palace rooms in darkness. There was no shortage of food at Saul’s table, although the royal family ate the same kind of food as other families. Servants probably kept the kitchen well supplied with baskets of barley and chick peas, bags of butter and a popular milk-curd drink. Spicy lentil stew was a favourite dish, usually served with cheeses and fresh vegetables. Meat was a specialty eaten only on feast days and special occasions. To honour an important guest, Saul would serve him some of the best food from his own plate. The Israelites did not use silverware, but ate with their fingers or a piece of flat bread. Most Israelites sat on floor mats. By Saul’s time however, many wealthy families used low stools and leather trays like those of the Canaanites. The favoured guest would sit with the king in the place of honour. This was against the back wall, where the king could easily see the entire room. As heir to the throne, Jonathan sat at Saul’s right. Abner, the chief general, sat at his left, with David close by. Other guests sat at separate trays arranged around the king according to their age and importance. Anyone missing from a meal would be noticed immediately and risked offending the king.