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Saul listened to the truth the Jonathan was speaking. At least for now, this powerful man was humble enough to receive correction, and that led to reconciling with David, the one whom he had considered his enemy.

Yahweh has brought great success to David. But King Saul, rather than being grateful of his servant’s accomplishments, is super jealous. As David returns from battle, he continues to serve Saul by playing the lyre to calm him down.

• Bill Arnold writes: “Our story seems to have degenerated into a soap opera. Jonathan has deceived and disobeyed his father for David’s sake. Michal shamelessly tricks her father and then lies to cover it up. David has endured the humiliating escape through a window and is now on the run, never to appear in Saul’s court again.”

Christians might struggle with this ethical dilemma - we are to be people who speak TRUTH, not lies. But here there is a greater good than telling the truth - that is: protecting innocent human life. 

• Multiple examples where God honors those who LIE to protect the innocent: e.g. Hebrew midwives who lie to Pharaoh rather than follow his order to kill newborn Hebrew baby boys - Ex 1:15-21; Rahab hiding the Hebrew spies in Jericho Jos 2:4-6, Heb 11:31, Jam 2:25. 

Instead of training their weapons on the ones they are hunting, instead of removing them from the house in handcuffs, these agents drop their weapons and begin to have a religious experience - speaking on behalf of God - and unable to accomplish the task they came for in the first place.

God WILL NOT ALLOW DAVID TO BE TOUCHED by Saul or his agents. Can God protect His people if He wants to? YEP!!!!

Here we are reminded of the covenant Jonathan had made earlier with David (1 Sam 18:3). A covenant is a friendship founded on faith - a commitment to have each other’s back, but it is also a commitment made before Yahweh. 

David reminds Jonathan of their covenant & wants to make sure that Jonathan isn’t trying to trick him like a double agent might. 

May Yahweh be with you, just as he was with my father. With these last words it sure seems that Jonathan recognizes that David, not himself, is next in line for the throne. This becomes even more apparent in the next things Jonathan says.

If I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household. We are going to see this exact scenario come into play later in the life of David.

Jonathan is so committed to David that he prays and believes that Yahweh will hold David’s enemies accountable, that Yahweh will bring justice against them, and that includes…HIS OWN FATHER (referred to as David’s enemy at least a couple of times - 1 Sam 18:29, 19:17). Jonathan is MORE committed to David than he is to his own father! If there was any question of Jonathan’s commitment to David, Jonathan reaffirms his deep and abiding love to the brother his heart is bound to. This is A COVENANT FOR LIFE! Jonathan’s commitment to David foreshadows the kind of commitment that Jesus demands that we have of Him, when He says,

Robert Bergen: “Though Saul’s spear missed him, Jonathan got the point—his father intended to kill David.”

These discussion questions are designed to help you LIVE what you LEARN with your Family, Friends, or Small Group.

🧭 Getting Started

1. When have you made a promise that truly cost you something to keep? What made you stay faithful to it?
2. Why do you think God takes covenants (not just promises) so seriously?

⚔️ God’s Protection & Presence (1 Samuel 19:8–24)

1. How does this passage show that God can protect His people even when evil seems to have the upper hand?
2. What stands out to you about how God stopped Saul and his men from harming David?
3. When have you seen God’s hand protect or redirect you in a way you didn’t expect?

🤝 The Power of Covenant Friendship (1 Samuel 20:1–23)

1. How did David and Jonathan show trust in one another even when everything around them was unstable?
2. Jonathan risked his position & safety to protect David. What does that teach us about covenant friendship and loyalty?
3. What does Jonathan’s humility (recognizing David’s future kingship) show about his faith in God’s plan?

💔 When Loyalty Costs You (1 Samuel 20:24–34)

1. Saul called Jonathan’s loyalty to David “shameful.” How might our loyalty to Christ sometimes appear foolish or shameful to others?
2. How can we stay faithful to God and others when doing so brings conflict with those we love?
3. Have you ever had to choose between loyalty to God and loyalty to someone close to you? What helped you stay true?

❤️ A Covenant for Life (1 Samuel 20:35–42)

1. What makes this moment between David and Jonathan so moving?
2. How do their tears, humility, and parting words reflect the kind of love God wants in His people?
3. How is Jonathan’s covenant with David a picture of the covenant Jesus offers us through His sacrifice?

🕊️ Living It Out

1. How can you reaffirm your covenant commitment this week—to your spouse, family, or faith family?
2. Which of these three relationships needs the most intentional attention from you right now?
3. What’s one practical way you can express covenant love to someone before this week ends?