Killing David, Again: 1 Samuel 19:1-7
We use rational thought to determine courses of action. Leaders are easier to follow when their course is comprehensible. Friendships are easier to manage when acting in predictable manners. This doesn’t mean we cannot be passionate, but the more we are rational the easier people can relate.
Saul is a man who relies heavily upon his emotional state when making decisions. He decisions are rash. He leaps before he looks. Here, Saul publicly declares his desire to kill David to Jonathan and his servants.
Besides the fact that Saul’s considering murder, which is itself a significant issue, David and Jonathan are close friends. David and Jonathan felt the same spirit between them, a spirit demonstrating their unity in obedience to God. When Saul talks to Jonathan about his desire to kill David, he proves the evil within his heart to his own child. Imagine how Jonathan feels when Saul invites Jonathan to be the one to kill David!
Furthermore, David is Michal’s husband. Michal loved David. When Saul invites Jonathan and the servants to kill David, he plans the murder of his son-in-law!
Saul does this without hesitation. Considering this is neither the first nor last time he will try to kill David, he certainly acts unremorsefully. He is content making his daughter a widow and forcing his son to lose a close friend. Once more, Saul’s emotional state is out of control.
Consider Jonathan’s response. Jonathan does the mature thing and warns David. He doesn’t mind countering his father’s plans because his father’s plans are murderous and contrary to God’s will. Just as Saul has no qualms about planning David’s death, Jonathan has no reservation going against his father to behave righteously.
When Jonathan confronts his father, he does not make an emotional plea. When an emotional person draws conclusions, it is difficult to convince them their conclusions are wrong. Trying to change the perspective of a person in an emotional frame of reference by adding more emotion seldom works. Instead, Jonathan uses rational thought.
Instead, Jonathan goes to Saul and reminds him of David’s righteousness. David is an innocent man who has not directly done anything to Saul. Furthermore, Jonathan reminds Saul how good it has been for the army to have David around. More than once God has used David’s obedience to lead the army to victory.
Jonathan’s logical plea works. Through the rationality of Jonathan, Saul walks back from the emotional ledge. Saul realizes Jonathan’s point is correct, allowing David to safely return.
God gave us emotions to illustrate what is important to our lives. God did not give us emotions as a basis of our decision-making process. Our emotions help us determine which decisions matter, but God gave us rational thought to help us reach conclusions. God wants us to be well-rounded. We engage emotion to determine importance. We use rational thought to determine courses of action.
