Three Arrows
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Jonathan was angry he had misread his father’s intentions.
As prearranged, David had hidden near a field where Jonathan routinely practiced with his bow. Taking a lad with him, Jonathan set off for the spot.
By bringing along a servant, it appeared that Jonathan was simply going for archery practice to settle his emotions. Telling the lad to fetch the arrows he would shoot, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. When the lad reached the spot where the arrow had landed, Jonathan waved him farther off, saying, “Is not the arrow beyond thee? . . . Make speed, haste, stay not” (1 Samuel 20:37, 38). Gathering the arrows, the boy returned and was told to take them back to town. Jonathan then waited for David to show himself.
Coming out of hiding, David fell to the ground and bowed down three times.
He and Jonathan kissed one another and wept.
David now knew Saul was an immediate and serious threat.
At the risk of his own life, Jonathan had brought that message to David.
Neither knew whether this would be the last time they would ever meet on this earth. The friendship between Jonathan and David exceeded that of most friends.
Each was willing to lay down his life for the other, bound by loyalty to protect each other as brothers. Jonathan was willing to give up his position as successor to the throne so that his friend David might claim it. Together they had campaigned against the enemies of Israel. No finer example of stalwart selflessness is to be found in the Old Testament.
“Jonathan’s last words fell upon the ear of David as they separated to pursue their different paths, ‘Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever.’ “The king’s son returned to Gibeah, and David hastened to reach Nob, a city but a few miles distant, and also belonging to the tribe of Benjamin.” “The name of Jonathan is treasured in heaven, and it stands on earth a witness to the existence and the power of unselfish love.”
