1 Samuel 20 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 20 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Israel’s first king, Saul, was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

• The events documented in 1 Samuel 20 took place around 1015 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• David – He was selected by God to eventually become the second king of Israel.  

• Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

• Jonathan – The son of Saul and the best friend of David.

WHERE:

• David fled Ramah at the beginning of 1 Samuel 20.

• Saul’s house was in Gibeah (1 Sam 15:34).

OUTLINE:

• DAVID AND JONATHAN DEVISE A PLAN TO KEEP DAVID SAFE (20:1-23):

  • After staying in Ramah with Samuel, David fled, believing Saul still intended to kill him.

  • Jonathan was not as sure about his father’s intentions and tried to reassure David he was no longer in danger.

  • Together they devised a plan to ascertain Saul’s intentions.

  • The next day was the new moon and Saul was going to host a meal. David knew Saul would be expecting him at the meal, so he told Jonathan to watch for Saul’s response when he didn’t arrive.

  • Jonathan was to tell his father David was in Bethlehem attending a sacrifice at his brother’s request.

  • If Saul was content with the answer, David would assume Saul was no longer trying to kill him.

  • If Saul became angry, David would assume Saul still wanted to kill him.

  • Jonathan told David to hide himself until he learned Saul’s intentions.

  • When he learned the answer, he would inform David with a signal of arrows.

  • Depending on where Jonathan shot the arrows, David would know whether it was safe to return to Saul’s house or not.

  • Before they separated, the two men made a covenant together. David promised to always care for the household of Jonathan.

• SAUL’S INTENTIONS REVEALED (20:24-42):

  • Jonathan attended his father’s new moon meal, and after two days of David not showing up, Saul got so angry, he threw a spear at Jonathan and accused him of betrayal.

  • The next morning, Jonathan went to the field to signal David with the arrows.

  • Before David fled, the two men said goodbye with heavy hearts.

  • The reassured each other of the oath between them, saying, “The Lord shall be between you and me, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.”

APPLICATION:

• Sometimes good people are mistreated by more powerful evil people.

• David spent years on the run, even though he never wronged Saul.

• God made human beings with free will, and as a result, injustices sometimes occur.

• Know for sure that God is not the author of those injustice. The injustices we see in the world are the result of people choosing to depart from the will of God.