Although Jonathan initially does not think his father still intends to kill David, Jonathan listens to his beloved friend loyally and agrees to participate in a plan to discern the king's true intentions. Saul irrationally expects David at the new moon feast, and Saul is enraged when he learns from Jonathan that David will not be coming. This serves as the testimony to Jonathan that Saul does intend to kill David, but the love that Jonathan has for David in the LORD is stronger than any family tie or succession to an earthly throne. In love for each other as brothers in Christ, David and Jonathan part ways with sadness, yet united to each other in the true faith.

Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church-Hanover in Alta, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 20:1-42.

"A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains King over His people, even as He does now and forever through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]