Shemuel Alef Chapter 20

The Reading

The Summary

Shemuel Alef Chapter 20

David complains to Yonatan about the unjust treatment he is receiving at the hands of Shaul. He cannot understand what is motivating Shaul to seek his life. This time, Yonatan, rather than David, is the one in disbelief. He cannot accept David’s report that Shaul wishes to kill David and has kept this hidden from his own son. David assures him that his life has been in serious danger and explains that Shaul is aware of Yonatan’s sympathy for David and wants to spare him the pain of knowing the truth.

David and Yonatan reiterate and reaffirm their eternal bond of friendship with one another, and Yonatan devises a plan to determine what exactly Shaul is thinking and whether David can feel safe and secure returning to his service. Rosh Hodesh (the New Moon) is the following day; this is the perfect opportunity for Yonatan to evaluate his father’s feelings toward David. How will he react when David does not show up for the royal Rosh Hodesh luncheon at the palace?

If Shaul accepts David’s excuse (conveyed by Yonatan) that he has traveled to Betlehem for a family gathering, this will indicate that his paranoia and suspicion of David have subsided. On the other hand, if he interprets the rather innocuous absence as a sign of something sinister or rebellious, this will be a proverbial red flag. Yonatan tells David to hide in the field on the third day (the second day of Rosh Hodesh) and that Yonatan will come there with one of his servants. He will shoot an arrow; if he instructs the servant boy to go out further to retrieve it (i.e., the arrow lands beyond the spot in which the boy is standing), this is a signal that David must run away. If, on the other hand, Yonatan directs the servant to come in closer to gather up the arrow, this is a signal that David is free to return home because Shaul no longer harbors any malice towards him.

The first day of Rosh Hodesh passes uneventfully; Shaul does not inquire as to David’s whereabouts, assuming that he is ritually impure for some reason and therefore not able to attend. On the second day, however, he becomes curious about David’s absence and asks Yonatan why “the son of Yishai” is not present at the banquet. Yonatan explains that David asked for permission to visit his family in Betlehem.

Shaul flies into a mad rage, declaring that David is a rebel worthy of death and that, as long as David lives, he will ruin any prospect Yonatan has of inheriting the kingdom. Shaul derides Yonatan, labeling him an embarrassment to the family for his “self-defeating” support of David. When Yonatan protests that David is innocent and not deserving of such treatment, Shaul lifts up his spear and threatens his son’s life.

Yonatan is greatly aggrieved by all of this and heads out to the field to report the news to David. As promised, he shoots the arrow beyond his servant and orders the boy to retrieve it. After the servant brings the arrow back to his master, Yonatan instructs him to rush back to the palace immediately. Once the lad is gone, David emerges from his hiding place and he and Yonatan share a private and very moving farewell, once again affirming the eternal covenant of friendship and mutual support they have pledged to one another.

One aspect of this narrative that is difficult to understand is the role of the “signal” of shooting an arrow. If Yonatan and David plan to see each other face to face anyway, why can’t they simply meet in person so that Yonatan can share what he has learned about Shaul? Why is it necessary for them to devise a sign for this purpose, when they are going to speak to one another immediately afterwards?

I believe that the essential concern of Yonatan and David was one of secrecy and security. It would have been quite unusual and suspicious for Yonatan, a prince, to head out into the field without an escort and with no clear purpose. This might have attracted unnecessary attention at court, and were Shaul to take notice of and investigate the reason for Yonatan’s trip, the consequences could have been disastrous.

With this in mind, Yonatan used the pretext of an archery outing to explain his departure and brought a lad along with him so that his trip appeared normal and legitimate. If the outcome of his luncheon with Shaul had been a promising one, he would have used the “signal” to indicate to David that it was alright for him to drop his anonymity, emerge from his hiding place and join the two archers at their sport, eventually returning with them to the palace.

On the other hand, if things turned out poorly (as they did), it would have been unwise to allow the young boy to become aware of David’s presence in the field, lest he share this information with others. The signal of the distant arrow meant “wait in the brush until the lad returns home and then we can say goodbye in private.” This is why, after describing the location of the arrow, Yonatan quickly changes course and sends the boy home, as if he has just remembered that there is something urgent at the palace that must be taken care of. The coast clear, David can now bid farewell to his best friend without anyone watching.

Aside from the heartbreaking developments in the relationship between David and Shaul and the strain this places on the friendship of David and Yonatan, there is an additional layer of tragedy to the story. Yonatan, like Mikhal, has a choice: to follow David or to remain loyal to his father’s regime. He may have rationalized that remaining an “insider” provided a greater advantage to David than defecting to his side would have; however, the fact remains that Yonatan parts from David and returns to the camp of his father. As students of the Navi we know that this means that Yonatan will die with his father in battle against the Pelishtim and will never have the privilege of seeing his beloved companion David ascend to his rightful place upon the throne of Israel.