1 Samuel 20:24-34

Wasted influences, muffed thoughts, and conflicting interests.

The facts are—

1 . While David lies hidden, Saul notices his absence from the feast on the first day, and refers it to some ceremonial defilement.

2 . On the second day he calls Jonathan's attention to the fact, and inquires the cause.

3 . On his explaining the reason, Saul, in a fit of anger, accuses him of friendship with David, and points out the injury which he thinks will arise therefrom.

4 . On Jonathan reasoning against the command to fetch David that he may be slain, Saul, in his rage, casts a javelin at him.

5 . Jonathan, indignant at the injustice and cruelty of his father, leaves the court and spends the day in fasting and sorrow. The chief interest of this section turns on the conduct of Jonathan and Saul in the absence of David. The event proved the sagacity of David in keeping at a safe distance from his declared enemy. The facts of this narrative may be best dealt with as furnishing suggestions of realities common even in modern life.

I. THE COMMINGLED CHARACTERS OF LIFE . Here was a festive board, a court banquet, and a blending in it of characters most dissimilar. First there was Saul, sullen, morose, charged to the full with envy and malice, ready for deeds of blood, and fearful of a doom of which he dared not speak. Then there was Jonathan, pure, bright, the very soul of chivalry and honour, carrying on his heart a tender secret, and bound by holy bonds to the interests of a coming king. By him was Abner in a seat of honour, just coming into distinction, a warrior destined to play an important part in the future affairs of Israel. Others, not named, were there—men of influence, varying in temper and diversely influenced by the strange events of the age. And, in spirit, holding his right to a vacant place, David, who in sympathy sustained the heart of his beloved friend in face of a perilous undertaking. A motley assembly in a moral point of view! Representative of many a banquet and social gathering! Society is strangely formed. The necessities of life, sustained by custom, bring into contact elements most dissimilar, each being toned down by the presence of the other, and the powers that lie in the heart being systematically repressed out of deference to the proprieties of life. The contending forces of sin and holiness, modified by diversities in education and association, issue in shades of character in endless variety. Take any assembly, around the festive board or in a wider circle; what passions, hopes, fears, terrors, joys, aspirations, motives, designs lie concealed in each breast! Each one there is a distinct world; carries in himself a special destiny; is a sepulchre of buried joys, or a garden of germinating seeds. How little we know of those sitting by our side! What tragedies are to be wrought out by some we meet! ( Matthew 10:26 ; 1 Corinthians 2:11 ).

II. WASTED INFLUENCES . Saul's spirit and conduct at this time were evidence that all the efforts to bring him to a right state of mind were in vain. During his career Providence had wrought through trouble and joy, prophet and people, threatening and encouragement, and lately through the wise and gentle persuasions of his eldest son and the awe-inspiring presence of the prophetic company ( 1 Samuel 19:21-24 ). But it all proved to be as the "morning cloud and early dew." Indeed, the coarse language and foul abuse and increased violence on this occasion remind us of the unclean spirit returning with other spirits to make the last state worse than the first ( Matthew 12:45 ). This necessarily raises the thought of the extent and lessons of the wasted influences of life. That vast and varied influences are brought to bear on human beings, which, so far as we can trace in this life, do not issue in their legitimate results is obvious. "Seed on stony ground" is a fact in the moral as in the physical world. "How often would I have gathered thee!" is repeated by hundreds of parents and teachers after the example of the sorrowing Lord. The hitter tears of broken hearted parents and the lamentations of our true Jeremiahs over degenerate nationalities raise the question of Why such wasted energy for good? It does not, indeed, follow that all is lost which seems to be lost on the immediate object. The waste of life which Butler refers to in his 'Analogy' is, we know, not really such in the economy of the universe. And so even the fruitless expenditure of moral influence on our reckless souls is wrought up into useful expenditure, for moral instruction and maintenance of justice, in the whole circle of moral existence. Our Saviour's appeals issued in rejection by the Pharisees, but the two together will form an element in the discipline and instruction of untold ages which will be highly useful. It suggests thought as to the mystery of the human will, and the relation of present to future existence. It suggests inquiries for all Christian workers—whether their methods are wisest, are sustained in a right spirit, and are sufficiently varied in kind. It brings grave questions to the conscience of those who enjoy privileges—as to what account they will render, and whether they shall ever be more than awful monuments in the universe for the warning of other beings.

III. MUFFLED THOUGHTS . "Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought" ( 1 Samuel 20:26 ). As the monarch sat at the head of his table the guests saw his stately form and heard his voice when he conversed on the ordinary topics of the day; but also " he thought"— thoughts of David, his past honours, his possible future, his absence today, and his appearance on the morrow, and then his speedy death, passed swifter than lightning through the dark mind, indicating their existence in the low, muffled tones which only the ear of God could discern. Thought is constantly tending to expression in words, and there are gradations in its movement. From simple definiteness of existence up to loud exclamations, Saul's thoughts, like muffled bells, were ringing within in subdued tones, their language being distinct to himself and to God. It is often forgotten that thought is language in the world of mind; and it is a solemn fact that our real life lies in the thoughts we allow to pass through our mind. Many are under the delusion that what is said audibly and done visibly constitutes the material of which character is built and on which judgment will one day be pronounced. We are spiritual, invisible beings. And while thus our thoughts are the real forms of our life, it is worthy of remark that not one thousandth part of what we think ever finds expression in distinct, audible tones. The vast preponderance of our thoughts beat in muffled tones because we dare not or cannot utter them. What God must hear beating in the hearts of men daily! It was muffled thought which Christ detected saying, "This man blasphemeth" ( Matthew 9:3 ; Luke 6:7 , Luke 6:8 ), and which said, "There is no God." The same is true of the "groaning of the prisoner" which cometh up before God, and the dumb prayers of the children of God all over the earth. Keep thy heart with all diligence.

IV. CONFLICTING INTERESTS . Jonathan appears to have been an authority with his father in all matters pertaining to the court and government ( 1 Samuel 20:2 , 1 Samuel 20:27 ). The muffled thoughts which all along had muttered vengeance against David now found audible and violent expression in the abuse poured on Jonathan and the villanous attempt on his life. He set before Jonathan as conflicting interests, between which he was to make a choice, his friendship for David and his succession to the kingdom. If Jonathan kept the one he must lose the other. Saul assumed that policy and prudence would dictate the choice of the succession, for, with the swift logic of the cruel, he wound up his argument by, "Therefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die" ( 1 Samuel 20:31 ). It is easy to show that Saul's logic, like that of all the wicked, was faulty; for if David was really the "neighbour" to whom God had decreed to give the kingdom ( 1 Samuel 15:28 ), no breaking of friendship would prevent his having it; and if David was a friend of Jonathan he would never rob him of his right should the friendship be maintained. Jonathan's love and spiritual insight enabled him to see through the fallacy and to make his choice. There are alternatives open to most men in the course of years which bring material and spiritual considerations into sharp contrast. Here it was selfish grasping at power versus joy in God's purposes for Israel and mankind. Moses had to say whether the probability of becoming prime minister of Egypt was more attractive than identifying himself with the despised slaves in prosecution of a spiritual enterprise. The same contrast arose, though the choice was different, when the young rich man was required to evince his supreme love for God and all that that implies by giving up the wealth on which his heart was set ( Matthew 19:20-22 ). The possession of wealth and acquisition of honour in public life are not inconsistent with true piety, but it makes all the difference when parents say to young men, "Give up your religion if you are to make your way in the world;" "Surrender the Greater than David, and grasp the honours of this life." Every one is called on to decide between Christ and the supremacy of material, earthly interests. In which lies wisdom is evident ( Matthew 10:37 ; Matthew 19:27-29 ).

V. VIRTUE VICTORIOUS . Jonathan was proof against parental influence, material considerations delusively presented, and even threatening of death. He pleaded for right and innocence. He mourned the debasement of a father. He was indignant at the base insinuations against the noblest and purest of men. He dared to let the court know his preference for the spiritual over the material ( 1 Samuel 20:34 ). This is heroism requiring far more courage than to go amidst the cheers of men and the pageantry of war to the cannon's mouth. Here is the power of faith, the sufficiency of God's grace, the victory that overcometh the world ( Hebrews 11:32-38 ). The world is short sighted. Jonathan now wears a crown which will never fade ( 2 Timothy 2:12 ; 2 Timothy 4:7 , 2 Timothy 4:8 ; Revelation 3:21 ).

General lessons : — 1 . Seeing that such varied characters are around us, let us be in every place as the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world."

2 . It is our duty to exercise the holiest influence and to work unweariedly, whatever be the issue ( Ecclesiastes 11:6 ).

3 . We should cultivate such an inner life that if all our thoughts found audible expression we need not be ashamed ( Psalms 51:6 , Psalms 51:10 ).

4 . Everyone is tempted to reject Christ, and so every one has to determine his own destiny.

5 . Fidelity in seasons of great trial depends much on previously cultivated friendship with Christ.