1 Samuel 20

Blood Brothers, Real Talk

1 David dipped from Naioth in Ramah and pulled up on Jonathan. “What did I do wrong, bro, Why your pops tryna kill me?”

2 Jonathan said, “No way, fam. You are not dying. My dad does not make moves without telling me. You are safe.”

3 David said, “Nah bro, your dad know we tight. He keeping it from you so you will not trip. I swear on my life, I am one step from death.”

4 Jonathan said, “Whatever you need me to do, I got you.”

David’s Test Plan

5 David said, “Tomorrow is the new moon feast. I am supposed to be at the king’s table. But I am going to hide out in the field for the next three days.”

6 “If your pops notices I am gone, say, ‘David asked to visit his fam in Bethlehem, they having a sacrifice.’”

7 “If he says, ‘Cool,’ then I am safe. But if he gets mad, then you know he is out for blood.”

8 “Please show me loyalty like we promised before God. If I am guilty, kill me yourself, just do not hand me over to your dad.”

9 Jonathan said, “No way! If I find out my dad wants you dead, I will tell you straight up.”

10 David asked, “How are you going to let me know if your dad flips?”

The Arrow Code

11 Jonathan said, “Come with me to the field.” So they went out together.

12 Jonathan said, “I swear before the Lord, I will find out my dad’s mood by tomorrow night. If it is peace, I will send word.

13 But if he wants you dead, I will tell you straight so you can bounce. May the Lord deal with me if I do not warn you.”

14 “If I am still alive, show me that same loyalty. But if I am gone,

15 Take care of my family forever. Do not cut us off when God wipes your enemies out.”

16 So Jonathan made a covenant with David and his future family.

17 He had David swear again, because he loved him like a brother.

The Signal Plan

18 Jonathan said, “Tomorrow is the feast. They will notice you missing.

19 On the third day, go hide near the place we talked about by the stone pile.”

20 “I will shoot three arrows to the side like I am target practicing.

21 Then I will send my guy to get them. If I say, ‘The arrows are closer,’ that means it is safe.

22 But if I yell, ‘They are further!’, that means run. The Lord is sending you away.”

23 “Me and you, The Lord’s witness between us forever.”

Saul Gets Salty

24 David hid in the field. When the new moon feast came, Saul sat at the table like normal.

25 He sat in his usual spot by the wall. Jonathan was there, Abner next to Saul, but David’s seat was empty.

26 Saul did not trip at first, thought David might be unclean from something ceremonial.

27 But on day two, when David was still gone, Saul asked Jonathan, “Where is Jesse’s son, Why he is not eating?”

28 Jonathan said, “David asked for permission to go to Bethlehem.

29 He said his fam’s having a sacrifice, and his brother asked him to come. I told him it was cool.”

Saul Snaps on Jonathan

30 Saul exploded: “You stupid son of a rebellious woman! Do you not know you are backing the dude who is going to take your throne,

31 As long as David lives, you have never going to be king. Go get him and bring him here, he is must die.”

32 Jonathan said, “Why? What did he do wrong?”

33 Saul threw his spear at Jonathan. That is when Jonathan knew his dad was serious about killing David.

34 Jonathan got up, heated and heartbroken. He skipped dinner, because he was grieved about David and mad at his dad.

The Last Goodbye

35 Next morning, Jonathan went to the field with a young servant, like he planned.

36 He said, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow past him.

37 When the boy reached the spot, Jonathan yelled, “Is not the arrow further out?”

38 He shouted, “Hurry! Do not stop!” The boy gathered the arrows and brought them back.

39 The servant did not know what was going on, only Jonathan and David knew the real meaning.

40 Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, “Go take these back to town.”

41 Once the boy left, David came out the shadows. He bowed three times. They hugged and cried, hard. David broke down.

42 Jonathan said, “Go in peace. We made a promise in God’s name, may He be between us and our kids forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the city.