# 1 Samuel Chapter 20
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## Summary
David flees from Naioth in Ramah where Saul and the messengers were prophesying and tells Jonathan of his fathers intent for Davids death. Jonathan does not believe Saul means David harm and making a covenant with David they conspire for Jonathan to test Saul and report on his findings.

Jonathan is asked by his father about Davids absence from the kings table and advises his father that he had given David leave. Saul is furious and becomes so angry he hurls his spear at Jonathan who is astounded. Jonathan reports on his findings to Saul and David and Jonathan part company.

## Meditatio

The narrative here is documenting the gradual coming appart of Saul and his pending replacement in David. Thinking about this passage reminded me of one of the important verses for understanding Saul, found in [1 Samuel 15:30](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A30&version=ESV). The language used her is incredibly subtle and revealing. Here Saul acknowledges his sin but does not turn from it in repentance. Instead he asks to be honours before his own government `that I may bow before the LORD your God.`

Saul responds to this rejection with nothing short of resignation. Indeed to all intents and purposes it seems that he is far more concerned with the aesthetics of the situation than anything else. At face value Saul does not wish to lose face. If Samuel were to turn his back on Saul then this would have significant implications for his government. i

This made me wonder; Is this wisdom on the part of Saul? Jesus tells us that "a house divided against itself cannot stand"[^1]. Perhaps then this is Saul resigned to his fate as being abandoned by the Lord. Yet in a last ditch effort at leadership he is attempting to avoiding take others with him. For if there is a schism between the prophets and Saul's government then Israel will not prosper and the Kingdom is at risk.

This option seems unlikely in my view. As the chapters progress we see very little evidence of this and increasing evidence that Saul is becoming increasingly more paranoid and less rational. To the point whereby in chapter 20 he isn't even offering a reason for his actions. He has now revealed to both his children who have a love and fondness for David his dishonourable intentions.

Interestingly we have not been told at any point during the narrative that Saul is aware of Samuels anointing of David and his pending replacement. Perhaps he has been made aware, perhaps he suspects, perhaps he is just paranoid. It's difficult to say and the text offers no clear answer here. As far as we can tell Saul is unaware of David's anointing, others also seem unaware that the spirit of God no longer walks with Saul. 

Returning to this point about Samuel complicity in presenting a united front. I did wonder why Samuel agreed to do s. I suspect that the most likely answer to chapter 15 is that Saul was desperate and Samuel was directed by the Lord to go along with his request to preserve Israel.

[^1]: See [Mark 3:24-25](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A24-25&version=ESV) and [Matthew 12:25](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A25&version=ESV).