1 Samuel 20:30–34 (ESV) —
30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, 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 the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” 32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 And Jonathan rose 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 disgraced him.
NOTE: On many levels, this is a painful story. At its' foundation, it is the failure of a man to act as a father. Why? Because Saul was obsessed with the wrong things. He was after power, recognition, and his plan for his life. God was not part of his planning, nor was there any attempt to seek God's will. And so he lashes out verbally against his son as well as physically by throwing a spear at him. Jonathan was angry, grieved, and disgraced. At this point there seems to be a separation between Saul and Jonathan. As Saul chases down David, Jonathan is never in his company. That is the second stage in a ruined relationship. And it was Saul's fault -- the father blew it with his son. What could have Saul done better? He needed to deal with his insecurity that comes from living outside of the will of God. He needed to have faith that God's plan was better than his plan.
PONDER:
- Am I building my kingdom (what I want out of life) or am I looking for what God wants to do with my life?
PRAYER: Father, I thank you for a good relationship with my children. Give me wisdom in my interactions with them. Guide me in how you are using me in this life.
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