The Hidden Season: Trusting in God's Timing
"And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even." - 1 Samuel 20:5
In the unfolding drama of David’s rise to kingship, we encounter a poignant moment of friendship and the struggle between loyalty and survival. In 1 Samuel 20:5, David reaches out to Jonathan, saying, "Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even." This verse encapsulates the tension that existed in David's life—an aristocratic life entwined with treachery and impending doom.
The context of this passage lies in a period of heightened danger for David. His relationship with King Saul, once benign and nurturing, is now fraught with jealousy and hostility. Saul perceives David as a threat to his throne, diametrically opposed to Jonathan, Saul's son and David's beloved friend. This interplay of familial bonds and the trepidation of divine selection create a complex atmosphere of trust, fear, and a profound need for guidance.
As David prepares to step into a period of concealment, he does so with an awareness that he must act wisely. The new moon festival is a time of gathering; it symbolizes new beginnings, yet in David's case, it precedes a moment of great risk. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in times of celebration, life can alter dramatically—what appears safe can quickly become perilous.
Theologians often reflect on the significance of the new moon in Jewish tradition, where it marks a period of reflection and anticipation. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, our lives, too, are filled with cycles. In our own journeys, we might find ourselves in "hidden seasons"—times when we feel we are obscured from the world’s gaze, yet under God’s watchful eye. David, while physically hiding in the fields, is spiritually positioned to understand the imperative nature of working alongside God's timing.
David’s request to Jonathan reveals the essence of trust and vulnerability in relationships. In a world often filled with superficial connections, how often do we truly expose our hearts to those we trust? David must share his plight, signaling to us that collaboration and openness are critical when facing life’s uncertainties. Here, Jonathan represents the loyal friend, someone who is willing to risk his standing for David's safety. In friendships, we are called to embody that same love—supporting one another through trials, even when it costs us dearly.
Furthermore, David's choice to hide himself is also a lesson on the importance of seeking refuge in God when facing danger. Hiding in the fields symbolizes not just a physical hiding but a spiritual one—seeking solace and guidance in the wilderness before the next overture of life. In times when we’re tempted to rush forward, possibly unprepared for the tumultuous paths ahead, God often invites us to retreat, recharge, and recalibrate our hearts' focus on Him and His purposes.
As we meditate on this scene, let us ask ourselves: What is my current hidden season? Am I responding with wise actions or acting hastily? Who are the Jonathans in my life, and how am I honoring those relationships? Seasons of hiding are not a sign of weakness but an opportunity for spiritual growth—a time when we can develop deeper trust in God’s plan.
In conclusion, let us give praise for times of hiding, reflection, and divine preparation. David's faithfulness, his connection with Jonathan, and his reliance on God serve as powerful reminders that while our lives may be fraught with complexities and challenges, they are also rich with opportunities to trust God. As we step into the light again, may we emerge stronger and more resolute in our purpose, knowing that God uses every hidden season to draw us closer to Himself.
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1 Samuel 20:5 - "And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even."
1Sa 20:5-7 (KJVA) 5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. 7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
"And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even." - 1 Samuel 20:5
2 Samuel 20:5 - "So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him."
1 Samuel 20:27-29
1 Samuel 20:20 - "And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark."
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Samuel 20:27-30
1 Samuel 10:20 - "And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken."
1 Samuel 3:20 - "And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."
1 Thessalonians 5:20 - "Despise not prophesyings."
1 Samuel 7:5 - "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."
James 1:5-20
1 Samuel 18:20 - "And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him."
1 Samuel 20:39 - "But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter."
1 Samuel 5: 3-4
1 Samuel 1:20 - "Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 15:5 - "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley."
1 Samuel 5:1 - "And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod."
1 Samuel 19:20 - "And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied."
1 Samuel 28:20 - "Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night."
1 Samuel 22:20 - "¶ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David."
1 Samuel 12:20 - "¶ And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;"
"So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him." - 2 Samuel 20:5
1 Samuel 5:5 - "Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day."
1 Samuel 20:4 - "Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee."
1 Samuel 20:33 - "And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David."
"Despise not prophesyings." - 1 Thessalonians 5:20
1 Samuel 20:35 - "¶ 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."