“And David said, Whom shall I send? and what shall become of me?”
This verse is part of a conversation between David and his close friend Jonathan. To understand the context of this verse, let’s examine the surrounding verses and the broader narrative in 1 Samuel.
1 Samuel 20 records the events surrounding David’s relationship with Jonathan, the son of King Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel, and David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king. However, Saul had become jealous of David’s popularity and perceived threat to his throne. As a result, Saul sought to kill David, which led to David becoming a fugitive.
In this particular chapter, David and Jonathan devised a plan to assess Saul’s true intentions towards David. They agreed to a secret signal during a feast, which would indicate whether Saul wished harm upon David. Verse 10 captures David’s response after Jonathan suggests informing David of Saul’s true intentions. David’s question, “Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?” reflects his concern about discovering Saul’s true intentions.
David wonders who will provide him with the information he seeks, and what might happen if Saul responds harshly to Jonathan’s inquiries. David is concerned about his own safety and seeks reassurance from Jonathan. This verse reveals the deep trust and friendship between David and Jonathan. Despite being Saul’s son, Jonathan remained loyal to his friend David, and they devised a plan to protect David and discern Saul’s intentions.
The broader message we can take from this passage is the value of true friendship and loyalty. David and Jonathan’s friendship was characterised by trust, support, and sacrifice. Jonathan risked his own life to protect David and provided a channel of communication to keep him informed.
Application:As we reflect on this passage, we can also consider the importance of seeking wise counsel and discernment in our own lives. David’s question highlights his reliance on Jonathan’s insight into Saul’s character and intentions. Similarly, in our own journeys, it is beneficial to seek guidance from trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual leaders when facing difficult decisions or uncertain circumstances.
Overall, 1 Samuel 20:10 portrays the relationship between David and Jonathan and the trust they had in each other. It invites us to reflect on the significance of friendship, loyalty, and seeking wise counsel in our own lives.
