If a father or leader would have us break God's word, God must be obeyed, not man. (1 Samuel 19:1-3 ). Jonathan is loyal to God and to David. He pleads for David and gets him a temporary respite (1 Samuel 19:4-7 ). Even fathers need to be confronted with their sin. What a faithful son Jonathan was! Saul breaks his word under the control of the evil spirit, brought on by David's further success, attempting to kill him. (1 Samuel 19:8-10 ).

God sometimes uses unscrupulous people - Michal was practicing lies and idolatry (1 Samuel 19:14-17 ). She did her best to give David time to escape. Saul openly called David his enemy.

So David fled and escaped ...

1 Samuel 19:18 "... And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."

David fled to one who could counsel him, comfort and give communion. It is good to escape to the spiritual. David went to the school of the prophets. It was a place where the word of God was once again taught - and where the chronicles of the ways of God were written up, put on record for future generations. A school does not make a prophet, but the anointed prophet can lead in supernatural manifestations among academics. (1 Samuel 19:20 ). Even the messengers of Saul can be affected.

Saul had no respect for the special happenings of the Lord, and sent again and again to arrest David. Each time, the messengers of Saul were overcome with the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 19:21 ). Saul at last going himself came under the power of the Holy Spirit - for a brief 24 hours Saul is subdued - David delivered. Saul, left to himself, quickly returned to possession of the jealous spirit. In strange ways God protected His anointed.

1 Samuel 20:1 "And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? ..."

Instead of staying with or conferring with Samuel, David fled. He had been delivered supernaturally, surely his next step would be in God - but, no, he acted in the natural flesh. His questions to Jonathan revealed occupation with self, not God (1 Samuel 20:1-3 ), ending with "there is but a step between me and death." (1 Samuel 20:3 KJV). Turning to the best friend, with his eyes off God, brings fear of the mind. Jonathan assured David,

1 Samuel 20:2,4 ".. "By no means! You shall not die! ... ⁴ ... "Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.""

How nobly Jonathan rose to his friend David's desperate state. He pledged to plead for David no matter the cost. He made a love-covenant. (1 Samuel 20:5-24 ). He carried out his plan so well, he put his own life in jeopardy (1 Samuel 20:25-33 ). The signal is given to David to leave (1 Samuel 20:34-40 ). The leave-taking of the two friends was very moving (1 Samuel 20:41-42 ). How valuable and precious are true friends.

Loyalty is one of the strongest aspects of courage - and great friendships are costly. David was an outcast from Saul's royal court from this time.

David is generously helped by Ahimelech. Ahimelech, seeing David alone, was afraid - David as a fugitive from Saul, endangered Ahimelech's life. (1 Samuel 21:1 ). David affected deeply by the priest's embarrassing questions, resorted to lying. (1 Samuel 21:2-3 ). He was again acting in the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

If the flesh is given control there comes a fall and failure.

"The priest recognized his moral obligation to preserve David's life by providing bread, superseded the ceremonial regulation concerning who could eat the shewbread (Leviticus 24:5-9 ). Christ referred to this example when teaching the true meaning of the Sabbath law." Ryrie

Notice the vindication of David that the Lord made. (Matthew 12:1-8 ). There always seems to be some treacherous Edomite about when a servant of God lapses. (1 Samuel 21:7 ).

As Hertzberg points out, "there is a touch of humour here, in that David should enter Philistine territory wearing Goliath's sword." (1 Samuel 21:9 ).

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A Strange Place

1 Samuel 21:10 "... and went to Achish the king of Gath."

In the title of Psalm 34 Achish is referred to under the dynastic title of Abimelech. Fear of Saul brought David to hide in the camp of the enemies of the Lord. Not the wisest of moves, but then:

Ecclesiastes 7:7 "Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, ..."

David's hope to stay undiscovered is vain indeed - his fame had gone before him (1 Samuel 21:11 ). As children of light (Ephesians 5:8 ) it is not possible to remain unrevealed among children of darkness.

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Even Stranger Behaviour

Motivated by fear David feigned madness (1 Samuel 21:13 ). In the last analysis it was not his cunning, but the Lord who delivered him. Looking back at the shame of the happening, he made a quality decision:

Psalm 34:1 "1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

This is the way to deal with oppressive fear - magnifying the Lord (Psalm 34:3 ) replaces fear with faith. He glorified his deliverer. God heard his cry and removed his fears (Psalm 34:4-7 ). Take your fears to Him, radiant faith will replace them.

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Teaching From The Taught

Psalm 34:11 "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord."

Victory under pressure will be ours through reverential fear of God - and by living out faith and goodness. Watchfully keeping our walk before God upright (Psalm 34:11-14 ), turning from all known sin. We can trust God to protect us - He never fails.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Was Jonathan right to tell David his father's plans? (1 Samuel 19:1-3 ).
2. Can God only use scrupulous people to help His servants? (1 Samuel 19:11-17 ).
3. Can Holy Spirit gifts be a means of protection to God's servant? (1 Samuel 19:18-24 ).
4. Are all friendships tested in times of stress? (1 Samuel 20:1-24 ). Would you put your life in jeopardy for a friend? (1 Samuel 20:25-33 ). Are great friendships costly? (1 Samuel 20:34-42 ).
5. Is it a good thing to put another at peril when your own life is threatened? (1 Samuel 21:1-9 ).
6. How should oppressive fear be dealt with? (1 Samuel 21:10-14 ).