Nobody had seen or heard from David since my last failed attempt to end his life. But certainly, he wouldn’t miss the new moon feast. This would give me opportunity to learn of his whereabouts and prepare my next attack. This time, I would not fail!
On the first day of the feast, David was absent. He must be ceremonially unclean, I figured. He’d be there tomorrow.
But he wasn’t.
“Jonathan,” I asked my son, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast, either yesterday or today?”
The question seemed to take Jonathan by surprise as he choked on a bit of food. Having coughed it back up, his face pink and his eyes nervous, he said, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem; he said, ‘Let me go; for our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, let me get away, and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”
I could not believe my ears. My own son had chosen loyalty to David over me. He had allowed David to leave town rather than come to the feast. I was furious at David and at Jonathan. I wanted to kill them both. Or at least cause them shame and embarrassment.
“You son of a perverse, rebellious woman!” I yelled. “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? For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established.” I stood, looking down upon my son, telling the whole room that Jonathan had shameful feelings for that poor shepherd boy. “Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”
Jonathan looked up at me and said, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
What was this madness? Even after having his secret shame exposed, Jonathan stood boldly by that fool David rather than his own father? I couldn’t take it any longer. I thrust my spear at Jonathan, but he dodged my weapon and rose from the table in fierce anger.
“I will eat no more of your feast, for you have disgraced me and because I grieve for my beloved, David.” And he left the room.
1 Samuel 20
Neglected Word 