1 Samuel 19:1-7

Open enmity and open friendship.

The facts are—

1 . Saul reveals his purpose to kill David.

2 . This being made known to Jonathan, he arranges with David to let him learn the result of an effort to turn Saul from his purpose.

3 . He pleads with Saul David's good services and personal risks, God's approval, and the king's own joy therein.

4 . Saul yields to persuasion, resolves not to shed "innocent blood," and recalls David into his personal service. The historian traces the progress of Saul to ruin, and of David to royal honours, and here brings out the aroused hostility of Saul on the one side, and the open services of Jonathan's friendship on the other. Father and son are at cross purposes concerning the life of one who in the providence of God is to supplant both. Each performs his part with perfect naturalness; and in the progress of the conflict between enmity and friendship there is a revelation not only of the individual characteristics of the men, but also of principles in constant operation. We have here an instance of—

I. THE INEVITABLE GROWTH OF SECRET SIN . Except in occasional seasons of moodiness, Saul's conduct towards David had not found formal expression. His servants probably set down his violence ( 1 Samuel 18:11 ) to irritability, and we have seen how cleverly Saul had striven to throw on Providence the slaying of David while he was doing him honour ( 1 Samuel 18:17-30 ). The frustration of these secret schemes brought out the fact that the sin so long cherished in the heart, and for very shame concealed, had, by that very nurture, gained such power over the entire man as to force its way into open day, regardless of all considerations of prudence and self-respect. The murder in intent became murder avowed. The ruling passion of the inner life now became the acknowledged master, and a public avowal of servitude to it is therefore voluntarily made. Saul's experience is but an instance of the experience of multitudes. Progress in wickedness is from within outwards. Lust, when it hath conceived, brings forth sin ( James 1:15 ). Every deliberate murder, theft, deed of adultery, fraud, and rebellion against Christ's authority was at first germinal in the heart. Each stage of internal growth lessened the power of the will over its progress, till at last it revealed its evil nature in open acts. This psychological genesis of sin is an awful fact, and may well cause those to tremble whose dalliance with secret evil becomes habitual. Truly he who committeth sin is "the servant of sin," and every consideration of duty and interest should urge us to cry daily for a "clean heart," and that sin may have "no more dominion" over us ( Psalms 139:23 ; Romans 6:14 ).

II. THE STUPIDITY CONSEQUENT ON THE DOMINION OF SIN . Facts prove that all sin is a species of madness. Adam and Eve imagined that a thicket would hide them from God. Saul's clearness of intellect suffered by his first public disobedience; and now that the evil passion had gained ascendancy, extreme stupidity appears in his soliciting the aid, in the execution of his cruel purpose, of Jonathan, David's bosom friend ( 1 Samuel 18:1-4 ; 1 Samuel 19:1 ). If he knew nothing of their friendship, which is very improbable, he ought to have known enough of so good and devout a son as to be sure that he would be no party to a base and villanous deed. If he imagined that Jonathan was likely to be actuated by jealousy of a rival, he performed the stupid act, common to base men, of thinking that reasons which have force with themselves have force with others. In proportion to the power of sin over the will is the effect of it on the intellect. Even the most clever sinners, when seeking to cover their sin from man, manifest some infatuation or folly which affords the clue to their crime. But it is especially in relation to God and the future issues of sin that this stupefying effect appears. It is only this blinded spirit that explains the ease with which men read of the coming "terrors of the Lord" ( 2 Corinthians 5:10 , 2 Corinthians 5:11 ; 2 Corinthians 4:3 , 2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Hebrews 2:3 ).

III. THE DOMESTIC SORROWS CREATED BY SIN . It was with a sad, heavy heart that Jonathan had witnessed the gradual decay of his father's character, but the saddest blow was when the father sought to make the son partaker in his sin. The grief of the son would be proportionate to his piety. To be tempted by a father, to have filial obedience tested in deeds of evil, to see the utter ruin of a parent's moral character, was a bitter trial; and, as a true son, Jonathan could not but bear these sorrows as a fearful secret. In how many families are there sorrows of this kind! How many a child has to watch the decay of a father's reputation, to bear inducements to sin, and to hide deeds and intentions of evil! A parent is far gone when children are prompted to wrong. A child is indeed a "child of sorrow" when compelled to carry on a pure heart the secrets of a sinful home.

IV. THE TRIUMPH OF RELIGIOUS FRIENDSHIP . It is scarcely likely that Saul would speak to Jonathan about killing David without pointing out how dangerous a rival he was to both father and son. It raised in Jonathan's mind the conflict of worldly interest and fidelity to a friend. Not a few have yielded to such temptations. But Jonathan's pure soul was equal to the occasion. His conduct was marked by exquisite delicacy of feeling and wisdom. He would not so degrade his father as to tell David that he had been asked to slay his friend, while be assured David of his real danger. While not assuming the tone of an advocate, he skilfully handled facts so as to achieve the end in view. The point of the temptation was to sacrifice friendship to private and public interests. There are persons still subject to the same trial. May we not also see something analogous to the common temptations of Christians to renounce the "anointed One" for reasons pertaining to earthly wealth and glory? Where there is real oneness of heart with Christ, no blandishments of sin, no prospect of greater worldly distinction, avail to break the sacred bond.

V. THE FORCE OF TRUTH ON THE CONSCIENCE . Jonathan simply, in a kindly, gentle way, conversed with his father on the matter, and called his attention to a few facts,—David's risks, services, and evident approval by God, and Saul's own joy in his victories,—and then asks whether such innocent blood should be shed. The effect even on the impenitent Saul is to soften his hard heart and draw forth the declaration that he shall be spared. Happy the son who has such influence with an unhappy, wicked father! In dealing with hardened sinners three things are necessary.

1 . Truth to present to the conscience. That David was innocent Saul knew; but ordinarily passion blinded him to the due recognition of it. If we can hold forth "the word of life," the actual truth concerning Christ, so that it shall shine straight in upon the conscience, men cannot but acknowledge its power, and it will exercise some restraint on their conduct.

2 . A kindly, unaffected manner. It was the manner of Jonathan that secured an attentive hearing and disarmed Saul's suspicion. Harsh language tends to arouse antagonism. The secret of success lies in so presenting the truth that it stands forth alone, unmixed with disturbing elements from our personality. "He that winneth souls is wise" ( Proverbs 11:30 ).

3 . Prayerfulness of spirit. We may be sure that Jonathan as well as David prayed in spirit on this occasion. The tone of our mind is wonderfully affected by prayerfulness. We then speak for God and man with a gentle force which guilty men cannot but feel.

General lessons : —

1 . More attention should be called to the importance of crushing out sinful feelings on their first appearance, and means suggested for so doing.

2 . Parents and persons in positions of influence should be earnestly warned of the fearful crime of seeking to induce young persons to violate their sense of right and truth.

3 . The good that is in us may be much more utilised if we strive to act with the "wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove."