THURSDAY July 18, 2019
Shameful Treatment
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?” Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully.
1 Samuel 20:32-34
Jonathan stood up for David in front of his father. Notice the real heart of Saul; he wanted David removed––killed. Why? Saul wanted his son to be the next King of Israel––not David. He believed Jonathan’s rightful place was with his father and next in line to the throne! Yet God had removed Saul from his throne; he was to be replaced by David. David’s sons would succeed, and Saul would not be able to hold on to his power.
Saul would not yield to the Lord’s plan. He was unmovable and stubborn. Saul wanted to run the kingdom of Israel his way, without God, but the Lord would not put up with Saul’s rebellious behavior. As a leader, Saul should have been submissive to the will of God. He could have brought unity to the kingdom, but instead, through jealousy and anger, he brought disunity.
Jonathan was wise and just. He knew Saul was being ungodly and unjust and would not take his father’s side. Jonathan stood for righteousness. Saul, in rage, would have even killed his own son! Jonathan was now convinced Saul would kill David. Jonathan would protect David; he knew he was in danger. He did not want his friendship with David to be broken.
Many people deal with issues of anger and rage. Know this: anger makes a person a fool. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end (Proverbs 29:11 NIV). The only way to control anger is through the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us self-control (Galatians 5:23).
Intemperate anger deprives men of their senses.
~John Calvin~
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