Torn Between Two

By Kristen Hollis

“Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, ‘What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?’ ‘Never!’ Jonathan replied. ‘You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It isn’t so!’ But David took an oath and said, ‘Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.’”—1 Samuel 20:1–3 (NIV)

Have you ever been thrown into an argument between two people you really care about? It’s one of the worst feelings in the world to watch someone you love hurt another person you care about and realize they’re definitely in the wrong. It can be challenging to balance empathy for those you love and knowing when to stand up for what’s right.

This passage is a very extreme version of that, but it’s still something we can learn from. It’s well known that Jonathan and David were best friends. They loved each other deeply and were probably closer to brothers than anything. One can imagine that Jonathan was put in an awkward position once the rift between David and Saul became too great. At this point in David’s story, Jonathan isn’t entirely aware that Saul intends to kill David, and he says as much. Jonathan probably thought David was being dramatic, but he soon realized that David was genuinely fearful of his life.

One can imagine this was difficult news for Jonathan to hear. Jonathan loved and respected his father in so many ways, so, understandably, he would believe the best in Saul. But at this point in the story, he comes to a crossroads and has to decide whether to trust God and stand up for the apparent injustice happening before him or continue denying Saul’s selfish and evil intentions.

There are going to be many moments in our lives like this. We may not be dealing with a parent trying to kill our best friend, but maybe it’s a co-worker mistreating someone else in the office or a friend willfully walking into sin against another person or even themselves. Conflicts like these are uncomfortable, but they allow us to live with integrity and care about the injustices of this world.

So, how does God call us to navigate situations like this? Sometimes, it’s not as black and white as murder, but usually, the best step is to seek the Lord and pray for discernment in a situation. One of the best ways to recognize God’s voice and desire for things is to familiarize ourselves with Him and His Word, so seeking Scripture for wisdom is a way to fortify in our minds in how He calls us to respond when these situations inevitably arise in our lives.

And if you’re the one in David’s shoes, where you have to state your case, and you’re worried that people may not believe you, just remember that God is always in control of every circumstance. Whether you believe it for this side of heaven, God always knows the truth and will always seek justice, even if it’s not how you expect it.

Pause: Has there ever been a situation in your life where you were the Jonathan? What about David? How did God carry you through that circumstance?

Practice: Before judging a situation, take a moment to pray and ask God for discernment.

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your heart of justice. I know in all things that Your goodwill will prevail. As I go through this week, I ask You to give my heart discernment in any situation I may find myself in and give my heart one that seeks Your justice as well. Amen.