Read 1 Samuel 20 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
20:1-4 {p} David returns to Jonathan: there is but a step between me and death
20:5-8 {p} David’s plan to discover Saul’s intent at the New Moon
20:9 {s} Jonathan: if I knew that my father determined evil toward you, I would tell you
20:10-11 {s} David and Jonathan depart for the field (spies in the palace?)
20:12-17 {s} The covenant of lovingkindness between the Jonathan and David’s house
20:18-23 {s} Jonathan’s plan to communicate secretly to David
20:24-26 {s} Saul noticed David’s absence on the first night of the feast
20:27a {p} David’s place empty on the second night of the month
20:27b-29 {s} Saul inquires after David/ Jonathan implements the test
20:30-31 {s} Saul answers Jonathan with wrath and demands David be brought
20:32-33 {s} Saul cast a spear at Jonathan to kill him
20:34 {s} Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and was grieved for David
20:35-39 {s} Jonathan went to the place appointed/ sent the secret message to David
20:40-42a {p} David and Jonathan part with the covenant between them
20:42b-21:5 {p} David went to the house of God at Nob and asks bread of Ahimelech the priest of Nob
The Strong themes:
20:9-27a {sx5+p} The covenant between David + Jonathan/ Jonathan to discover Saul’s intent
20:27b-42a {sx5+p} Saul’s evil intent/Jonathan warns David/ part with the covenant between them
1 Samuel 20:1-42 Chiastic Structure:
What a strange central axis, Saul’s insult to Jonathan:
Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of perverse rebellion!” 1 Sam 20:30a
The world “woman” is not in the Hebrew. I am not sure why the NKJV decided to insert it. But I was thinking about it today, Saul’s descent into madness, so much so that now he has even tried to kill his own son, let alone David. By calling out Jonathan as a son of perverse rebellion, what is Saul inadvertantly saying about himself? For Jonathan is his son.
It is Saul who is perversely rebellious. As king he is not a law unto himself but must be submitted to God’s Law. Every king must be. So Scripture is painting a clear picture of progression of the fruit displayed in someone’s life, when they decide to take the first small step on the path of neglect of God’s commandments. The final destination is insanity, murder, injustice, and every perverse thing.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Lies are not harmless – Christine Miller
Romans 13, The governing authorities – Christine Miller
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