David and Jonathan were the best of friends. They met while David came to King Saul’s (Jonathan’s father’s) palace to play the harp. The two young men found out they had many of the same interests.
But King Saul hated David, the killer of Goliath, for he wanted his son to be a hero.
The King decided to have David killed.
“I can’t believe it’s true, why would my father want to kill you?”
“Trust me, it’s true Jonathan. King Saul’s jealousy has gotten out of hand. Tomorrow is the new moon, there will be banquets for three days straight. When he asks where I am, tell him I went back home to be with my family for the special occasion. If he is happy for me, I am wrong, if he is angry that I am not there, you’ll know he had something planned out for me. We have to find a way for you to tell me, but how?”
“I have an idea. Come with me too the field David.”
So David and Jonathan left the palace to go to the field.
“The day after tomorrow, go far out into the field and hide behind that boulder. I will shoot three arrows toward the stone. People will think I am practicing my archery. When I send my servant, if I say, “The arrows are on that side”, you will know there is no danger. If I say,” The arrows are beyond you”, you must go far into the country to hide for my father intends you harm.”
The day of the celebrations, King Saul asked where David was, Jonathan told him that he went back home to celebrate. This made the King furious, he had plans to kill David.
So Jonathan went to the fields, shot the three arrows, sent his servant to get them and yelled that the arrows were beyond him. David understood the signal.
Once the servant was gone, Jonathan and David said their goodbyes and David set out for the country.
