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David and the house of Saul. But there is not a tinge of misunderstanding of David,
not a shadow of suspicion, not a trace of jealousy, not a word of murmur or
complaint. More touching words, surely, were never uttered than this charge which
Jonathan laid on David as his part of their covenant, in view of what was to come
upon them both: "And not only if I am still alive - not only shalt thou do with me the
mercy of Jehovah" (show towards me Divine mercy) "that I die not; but thou shalt
not cut off thy mercy from my house - not even" (at the time) "when Jehovah cutteth
off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth" (20:14, 15).^191
The signal preconcerted between the friends was, that on the third day David should
lie in hiding at the same spot where he had concealed himself "in the day of
business" - probably that day when Jonathan had formerly pleaded with his father
for his friend (19:2-7) - beside the stone Ezel, perhaps "the stone of demarcation,"
marking a boundary. Jonathan was to shoot three arrows. If he told the lad in
attendance that they lay nearer than he had run to fetch them, David might deem
himself safe, and come out of hiding. If, on the contrary, he directed him to go
farther, then David should conclude that his only safety lay in flight. The result
proved that David's fears had been too well grounded. Saul had evidently watched
for the opportunity which the New Moon's festival would offer to destroy his hated
rival. On the first day he noticed David's absence, but, attributing it to some Levitical
defilement, made no remark, lest his tone might betray him. But on the following
day he inquired its reason in language which too clearly betokened his feelings. It
was then that Jonathan repeated the false explanation which David had suggested.
Whether or not the king saw through the hollowness of the device, it certainly
proved utterly unavailing. Casting aside all restraint, the king turned on his son, and
in language the most insulting to an Oriental, bluntly told him that his infatuation for
David would cause his own and his family's ruin. To the command to send for him
for the avowed purpose of his murder, Jonathan with characteristic frankness and
generosity replied by pleading his cause, on which the fury of the king rose to such a
pitch, that he poised his javelin against his own son, as formerly against David.
Jonathan had left the feast in moral indignation at the scene which had taken place
before the whole court. But deeper far was his grief for the wrong done to his friend.
That day of feasting became one of fasting to Jonathan. Next morning he went to
give the preconcerted signal of danger. But he could not so part from his friend.
Sending back the lad to the city with his bow, quiver, and arrows, the two friends
once more met, but for a moment. There was not time for lengthened speech; the
danger was urgent. They were not unmanly tears which the two wept, "till David
wept loudly."^192
The parting must be brief - only just sufficient for Jonathan to remind his friend of
their covenant of friendship in God, to Whose care he now commended him. Then
(^)