David realizes that he cannot stay in Ramah forever, so in 1 Samuel 20, he meets up with Jonathan to determine what he has done to earn the enmity of Saul. While David is convinced that Saul is trying to kill him, Jonathan is not convinced. They develop a rather elaborate means to determine if Saul is angry with David, if Saul responds angrily to the news that David is not participating in a local feast but has returned home, then Jonathan will know of Saul's desire to kill David.
David has concerns that Jonathan might not send word to him, so in the presence of God, Jonathan swears to be true to his word. Again, Jonathan and David come up with a rather elaborate means to notify David of the news. Sure enough, Saul is very angry that David is absent. He tells Jonathan that David will steal the throne if he is allowed to live. Jonathan realizes that his father is serious about this and that he intends to kill David, so he sends word to David. They enjoy a tearful embrace and then part company. Each going their own way.
David is truly an outlaw now with nowhere to turn. He is reduced to subterfuge in 1 Samuel 21 to obtain bread from the chief priest of Nob, which is where the cultic headquarters is at this time. The chief priest Ahimelech approaches David with caution for he fears that since David is alone he is now an outlaw. David asks for bread but the only bread available is that of the Bread of Presence, which is usually eaten by the priests at the end of the week. David takes this bread and obtains the sword that he used to kill Goliath that was being held at Nob as a sort of shrine.
Whether David notices that Doeg is at Nob, or not, he knows that he cannot stay and moves on, this time into territory that is controlled by Philistines. He is recognized by the masses but by the time word reaches the king, David has taken to acting like a mad man and the king dismisses him as being a threat.
As David flees, family and others hear about him and begin to flock to him. It would seem that many are not pleased with the rule of Saul. David turns to his roots in 1 Samuel 22 for the protection of his family. He approaches the king of Moab, since his own ancestor, Ruth, came from Moab, who grants David's family asylum.
We find out that David's family is probably in dire need of protection since Saul willingly sentences to death the priests of Nob who gave aid to David. Even Saul's men realize this is wrong, so it is up to Doeg, the Edomite, to kill the priests. One escapes, Abiathar, and flees to David and brings word. The war between David and Saul is just beginning and many innocents will lose their lives.
Mark 15
Jesus brought before Pilate, since he has been found a blasphemer, it would seem as if the Romans want to add sedition to the list, which is the reason for the question "Are you the king of the Jews?" This is not a theological question but a political one for the Romans. Jesus does not claim such a title, then again he does not disclaim it either. Pilate does not seem to be convinced that Jesus plots sedition and gives the crowd the option but they refuse to allow Jesus to be set free instead that they seek the release of a political prisoner, Barabbas. The irony is that the charge of sedition against Jesus is unfounded and unproved, but the Romans release a known insurrectionist in Barabbas. In essence, now Jesus has been rejected by the Jews and the Gentiles.
This rejection is enforced by the acts of the soldiers who mock Jesus and scourge him. This rejection finds its way to the cross where Jesus is crucified. Jesus' cries and anguish find voice in Psalm 22 as it comes alive in the Passion. As death draws near, the skies darken, which as a cosmological sign, is usually an action that coincides with great times in history.
The burial is significant in who participates. Not the disciples, but Joseph of Arimathea who is not described as a follower of Jesus but a member of the council who has been looking for the coming of the kingdom. Joseph represents the faithful of Israel, perhaps in this moment he is the only true apostle. Mary Magdalene and Mary are also present, they serve a witness to his death and burial.
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