Obedient like David - a dramatic retelling

     His muscles were taut with anxiety as the arrow whistled through the cool morning air and planted itself deep in the gravely soil. As the boy scampered to fetch it, Jonathan called, “Isn't the arrow further yet?”

     David's heart dropped like a stone, and his shoulders slumped. It was the code the two men had worked out among themselves three days ago. Saul still wanted him dead. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, he lifted his head from the brittle grasses to take one last look at his best friend. They had worked it all out ahead of time. Jonathan was supposed to leave now and go back to his father, and David was supposed to flee. His limbs felt as if weighed down by heavy armor. How could he turn and run away from his family and friends?

     He was surprised when Jonathan did not walk away, but instead handed his bow and quiver to the lad, and sent him back. David rose slowly to his feet, and the two friends looked across the field at one another. Homesickness punched him in the gut, even though he hadn't left yet. Jonathon was not only his best friend, he was his brother-in-law, his family. There was no brother he'd rather have by his side in a crisis – but Jonathan could not go with him this time. He was the son of the King, the one who would have taken up Saul's throne - if Samuel had not anointed David instead. If David had known how much it would cost, would he have knelt and allowed the old prophet to pour the horn of oil over his head?

     He stared at his best friend, and saw his expression was deeply troubled. He had his father's good looks, and his height, standing nearly a head taller than other men. It was Jonathan's birthright David was usurping, yet Jonathan had never shown a hint of jealousy. Gratefulness surged in his heart, and David dropped to his knees. He bowed low to the ground three times.

     Jonathan walked forward, then ran the last few paces and wrapped David in a crushing hug. His voice was partially muffled as he spoke, "My father is mad with jealousy. When I tried to defend you, he threw his spear at me. You have no choice, you have to go." David felt tears coursing down his cheeks, and when Jonathan released him at last, he saw his friend was also weeping. David kissed his best friend's cheek like a brother, and wept all the harder.

     Jonathan put a steadying hand on David's shoulder. “Go in safety. Remember the vows of loyal friendship we swore before the Lord, that He will be between me and you, and between our descendants, forever. Now go! Before someone sees you.”

    David clasped Jonathon's shoulder one time. Painfully, he turned and fled, dashing his tears away with the back of his hand. He would not allow himself to look back. If he did, he might not be able to go on.

     He walked mindlessly for a time, his only thoughts on what he was leaving behind. As the distance fell away, he began to rouse himself. Where would he go? He could not go back to his childhood home in Bethlehem, that would be the first place Saul would search for him. Gravel crunched under his sandals as he walked steadily, trying to plan. He would need to keep moving. He would not be able to settle down, or word would get back to the king. He shook his head, for the first time in his life frustrated that he was so well known. Would he spend the best years of his life as a wanted man, eking out a beggar's existence until Saul grew old and died? Was his future as bleak as the sun-bleached rocks in the wilderness?

     Samuel said he was to become king, but the prophet had not told him how it would come to be. Should he confront Saul in arms? Seize power for himself? Surely men would rally to him! Yet, men would rally to Saul too. Fighting for rule could tear their nation apart.He frowned.

     His steps slowed, then stopped altogether. He stood in the road with his arms outstretched. He lifted his face to the sun, and let out a slow breath. The day was as quiet as when he had been alone in the fields with his sheep and his lyre. He had sung praises to God in those simpler days.

     He remembered how the olive oil had felt as it slid over his hair. He remembered seeing it drip down his brow and landing in the dust at Samuel's feet, and how his heart had pounded wildly. God declared a shepherd boy would be king!

     Standing exposed in the middle of the road, his head told him to push on, to keep running, but his heart bid him to wait. He knew deep inside that he was on the cusp of a dramatic change in his life, and he waited to hear the will of the Lord. He heard the cry of birds, and felt the wind toss his clothes.

     What kind of king would he be? Saul had also been anointed by Samuel, but had lost favor with God when he became determined to do things his own way. If David wanted to be a righteous king, his foremost concern had to be pleasing God. He felt calm wash over him. He opened his eyes, and looked back to the city, feeling resolved. Saul would not die by his hand. He would trust God to deal with Saul in His own way.

     David whispered a song, like he had as a boy:

          “The Lord is my light and my salvation;

                 Whom shall I fear?

            The Lord is the defense of my life;

                  Whom shall I dread?”

     He turned and faced the wilderness, and strode forth with confidence.

Read the story for yourself: 1 Samuel Chapter 20, and Psalm 27

My thoughts:

I sometimes wonder what was the greater challenge for David, facing down Goliath, or living with an uncertain future? With Goliath, the goal was clear: Strike down the giant, win the battle. But with David's dealings with Saul, David had to live day by day in uncertainty. He knew he would be king someday, but how? When? He had people giving him all sorts of advice about how to end up on the throne, even offering to kill Saul for him. Yet David withholds his hand, and waits for God. This is in direct contrast to when Saul started to do things for himself, and it cost him everything. David is called a man "after God's own heart", and it is his faithfulness to God's will, even while struggling in the wilderness, that inspires me today.

Your turn!

What is your wilderness? David didn't do his trials alone forever, he drew faithful companions to his side. If you don't have someone to walk beside you in your times of difficulty, maybe it's time to plug into a group of believers. Find a group of people to do life with, who will encourage you to seek God's will and God's plan, and you in turn can bless them back. Isn't that what church was always meant to be?