1 Samuel 20:35

1 Samuel 20:35 says, And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.  The next morning at the time David and he had agreed on, Jonathan went into the field to shoot some arrows, and he had a lad with him to retrieve the arrows as they had agreed the sign would be.   Jonathan was carrying out the plan, though I am sure it was with a heavy heart.  He actually had not wanted to believe that Saul, his father, was trying to kill David or have him killed.   We may not want to believe that people we know are out to destroy other Christians, but if we see the proof, we must accept it, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not just by our own understanding.  Verse thirty-six adds, And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.  Jonathan told the lad to run and find the arrows he shot, and Jonathan shot them behind him.  This was one of the two possible outcomes to signal Saul's intent toward David.  Of course, Jonathan could have still not accepted the fact yhat Saul was trying to kill David or have been more faithful to Saul, his father, and have sent the wrong message to David, but he didn't.  We, as followers of Christ, must be more devoted to God and His truth than we are to anyone else, even family.  Verse thirty-seven continues, And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?  When the lad got to the place where the arrow should be, Jonathan cried out, not really to him, but for David’s benefit, asking the lad if the arrow was not beyond him.  Of course, it really didn't matter where the arrow was, but only that David got the message.  Then, David had to act on the message.  Our circumstances today as we witness to the world do not really matter but only the message does.  Of course, Jonathan was trying to save David physically, and we as Christians when we share the gospel are trying to give them an opportunity to be saved spiritually.  It is then up to them to act on the message of the gospel.  Verse thirty-eight states, And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.  Jonathan told the lad to hurry and gather the arrows, and he did and returned to Jonathan.  I believe this was also directed more towards David than the lad, telling him to make haste in leaving.  Verse thirty-nine adds, But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.  As Jonathan had planned, the lad knew nothing about what was really happening, but David and Jonathan alone did. Even though he was successful without anyone knowing that he was helping David, Jonathan was still putting himself in danger to do so, especially with a somewhat paranoid Saul seeking the death of David.  We need this type of Christian friends today.  Verse forty continues, And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.  Jonathan then gave his artillery to the lad and told him to take it into the city.  Jonathan was then free to have a personal conversation with David, even though the signal had been for David to flee.  Jonathan didn't risk this until he knew there was no danger to David or himself.  Even if we desire to speak with a fellow Christian, especially one that we are very good friends with, we should do so only if we know that we are not somehow putting them in danger by doing so, and there may come a day when this will be a true possibility.   Verse forty-one declares, And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.  After the lad left, David rose from his hiding place and bowed three times before Jonathan and then they greeted one another affectionately as brothers.  We need to be willing to affectionately greet our fellow believers in Christ today, without fear of what the world may think.  Verse forty-two adds, And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.  Jonathan told David to go in peace and reminded him of their covenant under God's authority to live in peace with one another and for their descendants to do the same forever.  They had an unbelievable friendship and even brotherhood under God's direction and power, and we need to always make sure that if we are forming lasting relationships with people today that we do so by God's guidance.   David left, and Jonathan went back into the city.  Even though they were separated physically they were united in spirit.  We may be physically separated from our fellow Christians today, but we need to remember that we are always united spiritually.