Once upon a time there was a young man named Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul. Jonathan had a best friend named David. The two were like brothers and always stuck together, no matter what.
But things were a little difficult in their land, because King Saul became jealous of David. David was brave and strong, and God was with him. Saul saw how everyone admired David, and that made him very angry. He wanted to catch David. David knew he was in danger, and he was afraid.
Jonathan wanted to help his friend. He said to David, “I’m going to find out if my father really has evil plans against you. Tomorrow is the great feast, and you are to get to safety and not participate. After the feast I will give you a sign.”
David hid, and Jonathan went to the feast. During the feast, King Saul noticed that David was not in his place. “Where is David?” asked Saul. No one answered him. The next day, Saul asked again, and Jonathan told him that David could not come.
Then Saul became very angry and even threw a spear at Jonathan to hurt him. Saul was really determined to harm David. Then Jonathan knew that David was in great danger.
The next morning, Jonathan went out into the field with a little boy. Jonathan had an idea how to give David a secret sign. He took his bow and arrow with him and said to the boy, “Run and look for the arrows that I shoot.”
Jonathan shot an arrow that flew far beyond the boy and shouted, “The arrow is even further! Quick, bring him here!” David heard this and knew that this was the agreed sign: it was not safe for him to come back.
The little boy brought the arrows back to Jonathan, not knowing that David was nearby. After the boy left, David came out from behind the stones. Jonathan and David said goodbye with a heavy heart. Jonathan said, “Go in peace. We promised each other that the Lord would stand between us and our descendants, forever.”
The two friends embraced, and David went away to be sure. Jonathan returned to the palace. Their friendship remained strong in the heart, even when they were apart.
Message of history
True friendship means being there for each other and supporting each other, even when it’s hard. God blesses such faithful friendships.
Bible passage
The story of Jonathan and the arrow can be found in 1 Samuel 20:18-42:
*”And Jonathan said to him, ‘Tomorrow is new moon; then they will demand you, for your seat will remain empty. 19 But on the third day, come down quickly, and come to this place where you hid yourself on the day of the deed, and stay by the hill of stones. 20 But I will shoot three arrows to the side, as if I were shooting at a target; 21 And behold, I will send the boy, ‘Go, seek the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, “Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, fetch them.” so come; for as surely as the Lord lives, it is good for you and there is no danger. 22 But I say to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond you. so go; for the Lord has sent you away. 23 And as for what you and I have been talking about, behold, the Lord is a witness between me and you forever.
24 And David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat. 25 And the king sat on his seat, as he used to sit, on the seat against the wall; But Jonathan rose, and Abner sat down by Saul’s side; and David’s place remained empty. 26 But Saul did not speak that day; for he thought, “Something must have happened to him that he is not clean; yes, that he is not pure! 27 But when the new moon came the next day, the second, and David’s place was empty, Saul said to his son Jonathan, “Why did the son of Jesse not come to the meal yesterday or today?” 28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David begged permission to go to Bethlehem, 29 and said, “Let me go; for our race has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother himself has commanded me; if I have found favor in your eyes, let me go, that I may see my brothers and know if they are well. That is why he did not come to the king’s table.
30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a wicked mother! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse, to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, you will neither stand nor your kingdom. So send now and let him be brought to me; for he must die! 32 Jonathan answered his father Saul and said to him, “Why should he die?” What did he do? 33 Then Saul hurled the spear at him to pierce him. Then Jonathan realized that the killing of David was a done deal with his father. 34 And Jonathan got up from the table in a burning anger, and did not eat bread on this second day of the new moon; for he was sorrowful for David, because his father had insulted him.
35 And it came to pass in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field at the appointed time with David, and a little boy with him. 36 And he said to his boy, “Run and look for the arrows that I am shooting.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow over him. 37 When the boy ran to the place where Jonathan had shot the arrow, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “The arrow is beyond you.” 38 And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry quickly, do not stop.” And Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39 But the boy knew nothing about it; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter. 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy who was with him, and said to him, “Go, bring them into the city.” 41 When the boy had gone away, David got up from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times, and they kissed one another and wept together, and David especially.
42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. What we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, the Lord stands between me and you and between my seed and your seed forever! And he got up and went; But Jonathan came to the city.” *
