1 Samuel 20

[MEST] 1 Samuel
1 Samuel 20
David in exile...
The next three chapters are a drama that involves four people: Jonathan, Saul, David and Doeg...

1# Jonathan_a faithful friend [1 Sam. 20: 1-23]
What is the tensions that Jonathan lives in?

This half of the chapter can be split into two sections...
Conferring [Read 1 Sam. 20: 1-10/18-23]
David meets up with Jonathan and wastes no time in questioning him. What does he ask and why?

How does Jonathan reply to this? What do you think about it?

How much evidence did Jonathan need?! Why might he not be seeing this?

What is David’s plan?

Why might Saul be mad about David’s absence?

How would Jonathan get the message to David? What was Jonathan’s strange plan?

Covenanting [Read 1 Sam. 20: 11-17]
Jonathan goes out of his way to help David, including risking his life. Why?

Why does Jonathan feel the need to reaffirm their covenant?


2# Saul_a spiteful king [1 Sam. 20: 24-42]

This second half of the chapter can be broken up into three mini sections...
David’s absence [Read 1 Sam. 20: 24-29]
What’s this “unclean” business about? Read Lev. 7:20-21.

What happened the next day?

What do you make of this “son of Jesse” comment?

Saul’s anger [Read 1 Sam. 20: 30-34]

Why does Saul blow up like this? Why does Saul take it out on Jonathan?

What’s going on with Saul’s “perverse and rebellious woman” speech?

Jonathan’s alarm [Read 1 Sam. 20: 35-42]

What does Jonathan do and what does he shout?

Who are these words for?

Even though this isn’t their last meeting, what do we see happening?