[One-Verse Meditation]

1 Samuel 20:30 (English Standard Version) “Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! 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?’”

[Meditation]

Saul dines with his family and close associates at the new moon feast. The new moon celebration was used in neighboring nations at that time to display the dignity and authority of the king. Saul must have hoped to demonstrate such strong royal power. Yet David was absent from that gathering. For a servant to be absent from a place where loyalty is sworn is unthinkable. After David fails to appear for two days, Saul asks his son Jonathan the reason. Jonathan responds with a prepared answer.

The reaction Saul shows upon hearing this answer is today’s meditation passage. Saul calls Jonathan “a son of a perverse, rebellious woman,” bringing him shame. He says that Jonathan’s choice of David has brought shame upon both Jonathan and his mother. And he explains his reason this way: “As long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you and your kingdom shall not be established” (v. 31). In other words, it is a rebuke that Jonathan’s wrong choice will lead to the ruin of the kingdom he will inherit.

In fact, Saul’s rebuke was fitting for a king concerned about his son and kingdom. Both East and West, all kings have done the same. Even now, things are not much different. And is this heart not present within us as well? We still set our eyes and hearts upon the kingdoms of this earth, putting our efforts there. Yet this passage receives Saul’s words as paradox. To live dreaming of “my own kingdom” in this way is “naked shame,” it says.

Therefore, Jonathan’s choice, though it appears as “shame” in the world’s eyes, is not shame at all. Rather, it is “glory.” For it is a choice made within God’s will. With this heart, Jonathan speaks to David these words:

“Go in peace.”

Within the greeting that blesses David’s peace is also contained Jonathan’s own peace. It is the image of one who lives not in “my own kingdom” but in “God’s kingdom.”

[Prayer]

Lord, grant us to experience not the peace of the earthly kingdom that exalts “self,” but the true peace of God’s kingdom. May my choices this day become not shame but glory. Amen.
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(Daily Meditation)

1 Samuel 20:24-42