20240412

time to leave

1 Samuel 20:35-42 (JDV)

1 Samuel 20:35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the countryside for the appointed meeting with David. A young boy was with him.
1 Samuel 20:36 He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I’m shooting.” As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.
1 Samuel 20:37 He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, “The arrow is beyond you, isn’t it?”
1 Samuel 20:38 Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don’t stop!” Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
1 Samuel 20:39 He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.
1 Samuel 20:40 Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”
1 Samuel 20:41 When the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell facedown to the ground, and paid homage three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more.
1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of Yahveh when we said: Yahveh will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

time to leave

David understood Jonathan’s signal. It was time for him to leave. For his own safety and to avoid the shame that his death at the hands of Saul would bring to Israel, David had to make himself scarce.

I may be writing this to a reader who feels that leaving is your only safe option. Don’t be ashamed of seeking safety if you are in danger. Don’t allow a toxic relationship to come to violence. There may be hope for restoration later, but if you must separate from a dangerous situation for you or your children, go with God.