1 Samuel 20:30-34: a reflection

30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!” 32Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34So 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.

Saul's jealousy of David has grown into a consuming rage, and here it turns even against his own son. When Jonathan defends David, Saul explodes in fury, insults his son, and even hurls a spear at him, trying to strike him down. Jealousy has so consumed Saul that he would kill his own son over it. And Jonathan, grieved and humiliated by his father's shameful behavior, leaves the table, mourning for David, but firm in his loyalty to his friend despite his father's rage.

Notice two things here: the destructiveness of Saul's jealousy, and Jonathan's costly loyalty. Saul's jealousy of David had grown into a rage that consumed him, blinding him even to his love for his own son, so that he would hurl a spear at Jonathan over it. Jealousy, left to grow, becomes a consuming fire that destroys even the closest bonds. And Jonathan, over against his father's rage, stood firm in loyalty to David, though it cost him his father's fury and shame. He would not abandon his friend, even under a parent's wrath.

Both are worth taking to heart. Saul's jealousy warns us how destructive an unchecked jealousy becomes, consuming even our closest relationships, turning us against those we should love. Do not let jealousy grow in you into a consuming fire; it will destroy even your dearest bonds, as it turned Saul against his own son. And Jonathan's loyalty shows the cost, and the worth, of standing by a friend even against the anger of those close to us. When loyalty to what is right, or to a friend, costs you the anger of those close to you, stand firm, as Jonathan stood, rather than abandoning what is right to appease their rage. Guard against the jealousy that consumed Saul; and hold to the costly loyalty that marked Jonathan, standing by what is right even when it costs you the anger of those you love.

Lord, Saul's jealousy of David grew into a consuming rage that turned even against his own son, so that he insulted Jonathan and hurled a spear at him; and Jonathan, grieved and shamed, stood firm in loyalty to his friend despite his father's fury. Help me take both to heart. Saul's jealousy warns me how destructive an unchecked jealousy becomes, consuming even my closest relationships, turning me against those I should love. Keep jealousy from growing in me into a consuming fire; it will destroy even my dearest bonds, as it turned Saul against his own son. And Jonathan's loyalty shows the cost, and the worth, of standing by a friend even against the anger of those close to me. When loyalty to what is right, or to a friend, costs me the anger of those close to me, help me stand firm, as Jonathan stood, rather than abandoning what is right to appease their rage. Guard me against the jealousy that consumed Saul; and help me hold to the costly loyalty that marked Jonathan, standing by what is right even when it costs me the anger of those I love. Keep my heart free from consuming jealousy, Lord, and firm in loyalty to what is right.