1 Samuel 20:33
Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.
Sermons
A Friendly Prince a Princely FriendH. E. Stone.1 Samuel 20:1-42
David and JonathanW. G. Blaikie, D. D.1 Samuel 20:1-42
The Claims of FriendshipF. B. Meyer, B. A.1 Samuel 20:20-37
AngerB. Dale 1 Samuel 20:24-34
David's Friend, JonathanMonday Club Sermons1 Samuel 20:32-42














Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan (ver. 30). "And Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger" (ver. 34). Anger is not necessarily sinful. "It is in itself, and in its original, no more than indignation against injury and wickedness" (Butler, on 'Resentment'). But it is too frequently sinful because of the manner in which it is indulged. How different was the anger of Saul now from what it was on a former occasion (1 Samuel 11:6). Consider that -

I. IT MAY BE UNINTENTIONALLY EXCITED (vers. 24-29). The reason which Jonathan gave why "David's place was empty" was doubtless a mere pretext (ver. 12), harmless as he thought, and not designed to provoke wrath; but Saul saw through it at once, and his anger was kindled against Jonathan on account of it and his taking part with one whom he regarded as his enemy. Care should be exercised, even when no harm is meant, to furnish no occasion for offence, especially in intercourse with those who are of an irritable and passionate temper, and to avoid "all appearance (every kind) of evil." Deception practised for a good end is not good, and sometimes produces much mischief.

II. IT IS OFTEN UNRIGHTEOUSLY INDULGED (vers. 30-33), as -

1. When it springs from selfishness and pride, and is associated with malice and revenge. Saul's anger against Jonathan was the offspring of the envy toward "the son of Jesse" which slumbered in his breast, if indeed he had not now formed the deliberate purpose of putting him to death at the first opportunity. It is not said that "the evil spirit from Jehovah came upon him" again. Hatred of David had become the pervading spirit of his life, and it gave a colouring to everything. "Anger is an agitation of the mind that proceeds to the resolution of a revenge, the mind assenting to it" (Seneca, on 'Anger').

2. When it is felt without just or adequate cause. The questions of Jonathan (ver. 32) did not, any more than the reason he had previously given, justify his father's wrath, and his jealousy of David was groundless and wicked. "Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause," etc. (Matthew 5:22).

3. When it becomes excessive, and ceases to be under the control of right reason. "Be master of thine anger."

4. When it issues in bitter words, and violent and unjust acts. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer," etc. (1 John 3:15). He has within him the principle of murder, the germ from which the outward act naturally grows. "Cease from anger and forsake wrath" (Psalm 37:8). "Where envy and strife are there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16). "Sinful anger destroys our own peace of mind, hurts the unity of spirit among brethren, blocks up the way to the Divine throne, exposes us to danger, makes work for bitter repentance, fires the minds of others, makes us unlike the meek and lowly Jesus, causes us to resemble madmen and devils, and is cruel and murderous" (Fawcett, 'Essay on Anger'.).

III. IT CAN BE UNBLAMABLY ENTERTAINED (ver. 34). It may in certain circumstances be a Christian virtue. But in order to this -

1. It must be directed, out of love to righteousness, against the wrong which is done or intended rather than against the wrong doer, and be associated with sorrow for him and good will toward him. "Resentment is not inconsistent with good will. These contrary passions, though they may lessen, do not necessarily destroy each other. We may therefore love our enemy and yet have resentment against him for his injurious behaviour toward us" (Butler, on 'Forgiveness of Injuries'). "And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts," etc. (Mark 3:5).

2. It must be felt from love to others rather than ourselves, especially to those who love God, and from zeal for his honour. "He was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame."

3. It must be kept under proper control. Jonathan did not retaliate. He "arose from the table," and went out; to fast, not to raise a rebellion against his father, as Absalom did at a subsequent period.

4. It must not be suffered to continue too long. "Wise anger is like fire from flint; there, is a great ado to bring it out; and when it does come, it is out again immediately (M. Henry). "Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil."

IV. IT MUST BE UNCEASINGLY GUARDED AGAINST and duly suppressed by the use of proper means, such as consideration of the effects of sinful anger on others and on ourselves, of the allowance which ought to be made for others, of our own faults, and of the patience and gentleness of Christ; the realisation of the presence and love of God; the cultivation of the opposite principles of humility, charity, and meekness; and continual prayer for the Holy Spirit. - D.

And Jonathan answered Saul, his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be slain?
Monday Club Sermons.
"There is little friendship in the world," said Lord Bacon. "O friendship," wrote the author of Endymion, "of all things the most rare; and therefore most rare, because most excellent."

1. Friendship means more than affection. Strange to say, greater friendships exist than in the family circle.

2. Again, friendship is not identical with the religious hope. The well-meaning, but ignorant, have beheaded the saints.

3. But while friendship is by no means involved in the family or the church affection, it yet remains true that the purest religious hope is the basis of the highest friendships. Great deeds are never done by those whose belief cuts off immortality.

I. TRUE FRIENDSHIP IS BASED ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. Friendship is the outgrowth of righteousness. The most hallowed relationships afford no ground for unjust deeds among friends. The child's love for the father is no excuse for wrongdoing at that father's command.

II. TRUE FRIENDSHIP MAKES NO ACCOUNT OF PERSONAL DANGER. The world is slow in learning that there is a greater existence than self.

1. We turn from majorities and minorities to observe that personal comforts and discomforts are no criteria of action. The question is not as to pleasure and pain, but rather as to the highest obligations.

2. The true friend is never afraid of danger. The son may die by the father's javelin, but Jonathan's friendship is true.

III. TRUE FRIENDSHIP REJOICES IN OTHERS' PROSPERITY.

(Monday Club Sermons.)

People
Abner, David, Jesse, Jonathan, Saul
Places
Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Naioth, Ramah
Topics
Attempt, Cast, Casteth, Clear, David, Death, Decided, Determined, Father's, Hurled, Intended, Javelin, Jonathan, Kill, Knoweth, Pointing, Purpose, Saul, Slay, Smite, Spear, Strike, Whereby, Wound
Outline
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David

Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 20:33

     5545   spear

1 Samuel 20:1-42

     5086   David, rise of

1 Samuel 20:18-34

     4476   meals

1 Samuel 20:24-33

     5965   temperament

1 Samuel 20:33-34

     5865   gestures

Library
Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship
'And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2. And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. 3. And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Word for the Persecuted
Remember that this supposition is a very likely one. There are a few Christians so favourably circumstanced that all their friends accompany them in the pilgrimage to heaven. What advances they ought to make in the sacred journey! What excellent Christians they ought to be! They are like plants in a conservatory--they ought to grow and bring forth the loveliest Bowers of divine grace. But there are not very many who are altogether in that case. The large proportion of Christians find themselves opposed
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

How to Make Use of Christ for Steadfastness, in a Time when Truth is Oppressed and Borne Down.
When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken of, many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth, nor stand up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of darkness: many are overcome with base fear, and either side with the workers of iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but being faint-hearted, turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put some who desire to stand fast, and to own him and his cause in a day of trial, to enquire how they shall make
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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