“Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, ‘What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?’ 2 And he said to him, ‘Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.’ 3 But David vowed again, saying, ‘Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, “Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.” But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.’ 4 Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Whatever you say, I will do for you.'”
—1 Samuel 20:1–4
Our covenant-making God makes a covenant-making people. Our covenant-keeping God makes a covenant-keeping people.
Why does David return? Jonathan. He returns because of their covenant devotion to one another. David is certain about Saul. Jonathan is ignorant. If David flees, it seems he not only wants Jonathan to know why, he wants his blessing.
The reason we might be confused by David’s actions is because we’re not driven by the same stuff. We think ourselves wiser when we’re simply selfish. We think ourselves more perceptive when we’re merely self-preserving. David fears the Lord. David walks in His ways. He demonstrates true wisdom. He demonstrates unfailing covenant love. If being covenantally faithful means looking a fool, then gladly don the motley of a jester. It is blessed to be thought a “fool” of the court of the King of kings.
Because their covenant devotion to one another is born of their covenant devotion to God, these friends don’t argue. David doesn’t insist. He allows Jonathan to test. Jonathan does not protest. He puts himself fully at the disposal of his friend. They trust one another and pursue truth together. Jonathan submits to David’s plan to expose his father. David entrusts himself to Jonathan’s plan to preserve his life. When they plan, they don’t really toil over the plan. They toil over their covenant. Before they are practical, they are principled. Covenant first. Planning second.
A reason so many of our friendships and plans go sideways is because we strive to be wise more than we strive to be faithful. We need to meditate and think covenantally first. Then we may build our plans on that solid foundation.
Underlying Jonathan and David’s covenant faithfulness to one another, is their covenant faithfulness to God. Underlying their covenant faithfulness to God, is God’s covenant faithfulness to His people. Their covenant faithfulness to one another is an expression of our God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel. It is an expression of His covenant faithfulness to us. God delivers His King, thus, He deliveries His people. In doing so, our covenant-making God makes a covenant-making people and our covenant-keeping God makes a covenant-keeping people.
No Other Boast 