The key verse in our passage for today is verse 15: “While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul has come out to take his life.”
Now, this verse seems a bit redundant. After all, what is new about the fact that Saul was out to take David’s life? It could be that what is being emphasized is that David had become aware that Saul was nearby. But there is yet another possibility.
The Hebrew word translated “learned” is similar to the word for “fear.” Some have suggested the author must have meant to say that David was afraid. In other words, what we are told here is that the full weight of Saul’s pursuit and its implications seems to bear down on David at this point. He has known of Saul’s jealousy and his desire to take his life before this, but at this point, the reality of things really comes home to David and he is struggling with discouragement. And he had plenty of reason to be discouraged.
First, Saul had killed all the priests and their families at Nob.
In chapter 22:6-19, we read of how Saul was told by Doeg, who was present when David went to Ahemilech the priest at Nob, that David had come through there. So Saul went with his men to Nob to inquire about David’s where-a-bouts. Saul was so enraged that Ahemilech had helped David, that he ordered his men to kill all the priests. When the men refused, Saul ordered Doeg, who was not an Israelite, but an Edomite, to kill them, Doeg not only killed the priests, but city of Nob.
“The king then ordered Doeg, ‘You turn and strike down the priests.’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its
children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.” - 1 Samuel 22:18-19 (NIV)
One of Ahimelech’s sons, Abiathar, escaped and reported this to David. David responded by saying: “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family,” (1 Samuel 22:22 NIV).
So, not only was David freshly confronted with the overwhelming rage of Saul toward him, but he knew Saul would stop at nothing, including innocent men, women, and children, to get at him. David felt personally responsible.
Second, David learned of the betrayal of those he had rescued.
In 1 Samuel 23:1-13, we are told how the Philistines had attacked the Israelite city of Keilah. David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should go and fight for them. The Lord told him to do so and David went and defeated them. He then inquired of the Lord again and asked “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” to which the Lord replied, “They will,” (1 Samuel 23:12 NIV).
The number of David’s fighting men increased when he left Keilah, from 400 to 600 (v. 13). But, there is no doubt that the knowledge of the city’s betrayal unnerved David a bit. As grateful as he must have been for the 200 fighting men who had joined up with him, he was no doubt, grieved by those in Keilah who would betray him.
Third, David had been forsaken by those closest to him.
In 1 Samuel 22:2, we are told that “All those who where in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader.” There were around 400 men, besides their families with David at this time. Included in that group was his family (v. 1). But David’s parents did not stay with the group. Instead, he got permission from the king of Moab for his parents to reside there (v. 3). Why?
Now, while we know that David was descended from Ruth, who was a Moabite, so it is possible that his family had relatives there in Moab. But there is another possibility.
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” - Psalm 27:10 (ESV)
Here we read of David’s trust in God when even his own parents forsake him. It has been suggested that events of 1 Samuel 23 is the time to which David is referring. So, when David’s family comes to the cave of Adullam (22:1), it’s to support him, but because of the danger they find themselves in as members of David’s family. They are forced to go to him for safety, but when it is clear that this means hiding out in the most remote, inaccessible places, his parents demand that David find them a refuge that is not so inconvenient. So they go to Moab.
If this was, indeed, the case, then his parent’s rejection would have been just one more blow to David’s spirit. It is one thing to be rejected by your enemies, like the Philistines, or even Saul. It is another to be rejected by your fellow-countrymen. But to be rejected by your parents would be a devastating blow, indeed.
David was truly a friend in need. Thankfully, he had a friend in Jonathon, who was a friend indeed. Let’s see what we can learn from the example of Jonathon about being a friend indeed, whenever we have a friend that is in need.
(Read vs. 16-18)
1. Jonathon came to David in his time of need - v. 16a
At a time when everyone seemed to be abandoning him, Jonathon came to David and let him know of his friendship.
In his book, “Rechurch,” Stephen Mansfield speaks of the Oswald factor. Referring to the famous picture of Jack Ruby killing Lee Harvey Oswald, Mansfield points out that the lawmen, whose job it was to defend Oswald, instinctively pull away from him as Ruby attacks.
So it often can be for you and me whenever we find ourselves going through tough times. Even those who you would think are in a position that would mean they would stand by us (like parents or folks for whom we have done favors), can instinctively pull away and do so. But a true friend shows himself to be true by coming to you when others are running from you.
“A friend loves at all times, and is born,as is a brother, for adversity.” - Proverbs 17:17 (Amplified)
Not all relationships are born for adversity. Adversity is like the wind that separates the chaff of flattery from the grain of true friendship.
The Shadow once said to the Body: “Who is a friend like me? I follow you wherever you go. In sunlight or in moonlight I never
forsake you.” “True,” answered the Body, “you go with me in sunlight and in moonlight. But where are you when neither sun nor moon shines upon me?”
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a friend is to just be there. A friend indeed comes to you in your hour of need.
2. Jonathon encouraged David in his time of need - v. 16b-17
A. He reminded David of God’s presence - v. 16b
B. He reminded David of God’s promises - v. 17
Jonathon reminded David that our God is One who is present to fulfill His promises.
A friend indeed doesn’t try to give answers but points their friend in need to the One who IS the answer.
3. Jonathon committed himself to David in his time of need - v. 18
A. Personally - v. 18a
B. Publicly - v. 18b
“It is hard to encourage another while your own knees are knocking.” - Bob Deffinbaugh
Part of the reason why David was encouraged by Jonathon was because of the example of courage that Jonathon set. Jonathon didn’t just commit himself to David privately, but publicly, where even his own father would notice. His commitment of friendship with David was on public display for all to see. That kind of courage is contagious. No wonder David was helped to “find strength in God.”
Conclusion:
“There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24 (RSV)
We should all seek to be a friend indeed, like Jonathon; and just as God sent Jonathon into David’s life right when he was needed, we should be willing to let God send us into the lives of others to help in their time of need. Who in your life needs you to be that kind of friend to them?
You might be a person today who is in need. Let me encourage you to open your eyes to see who God has placed in your life to be a “friend indeed” to you.
Finally, I want to remind each of us how our Lord is a friend indeed to each of us who is in need.
1. He has come to where we are.
2. He was God present to with us to fulfill the ultimate promise—the promise of salvation for us.
3. He has committed Himself to us publicly by dying on the cross, so that He might commit Himself to us personally when we open our lives up to Him by faith.
Let’s thank Him today as we remember His friendship demonstrated to us through His cross as we participate in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
