6 Aug

Jonathan: “David, there is no issue of domestic violence in my home. Period.”

Bible Studies on Domestic Violence by Franklin Morris II

“And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.” 1 Samuel 20:1, 2.

Jonathan: “David, there is no issue of domestic violence in my home. Why are you trying to be apprehensive of a problem that doesn’t exist?

Yes, dad wanted to kill me because I ate honey, and in a rage he tried to smite you with a javelin; yes, dad told me and others to take your life, but those were isolated events. (1) Things like that happen very rarely in my house. As you know, it’s not like dad throws a javelin at someone every day. Dad does get in his fits of anger, but doesn’t that happen to every family?

“Things like that happen very rarely in my house…It’s not like dad throws a javelin at someone every day.”

Lets not forget my dad’s good side. As Christians aren’t we supposed to dwell on positive qualities? For example, I heard that my dad was uttering prophecies with prophets, and I will be the first one to say that he has changed…for the better. (2)

David, I know my dad more than you. Obviously, I’ve grown up with him and I’ve been around him much longer than you. Wouldn’t you believe I would have the correct character discernment of my own father after years of knowing him? Can’t you give me the benefit of the doubt? I will give you my word that he will not hurt you if you come eat with us because, again, there is no issue of domestic violence in my God fearing, Christian home. Period.”

“And Saul cast a javelin at him [Jonathan] to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.” 1 Samuel 20:33.

This is the Jonathan I see as I study 1 Samuel. Learn more about my next project, which is to understand domestic violence through the eyes of Saul, David, and Jonathan.

Can we be modern day Jonathans? Do we have blind eyes to this domestic violence epidemic in Christianity today?

References:
(1) 1 Samuel 14:43, 44; 1 Samuel 18:10, 11; 1 Samuel 19:1
(2) 1 Samuel 19:20-24