In the biblical story of 1 Samuel 20, we encounter the tension between David and King Saul, and the unwavering faith of Jonathan, Saul’s son. When examined through the lens of Neville Goddard’s Law of Assumption, this passage becomes a rich metaphor for how our assumptions shape our reality. Here, we’ll break down this chapter passage by passage, revealing how Neville’s teachings on the power of assumption come to life in the biblical narrative.
David’s Fear and Assumed Fate (1 Samuel 20:1-3)
“David fled from Naioth in Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, ‘What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?’”
In these opening verses, David is deeply troubled, seeking clarity from Jonathan. He believes that his life is in danger because of Saul’s anger, an assumption he has internalised and that shapes his perception of reality. Neville Goddard teaches that our assumptions form the foundation of our experiences. David’s fear of death is a reflection of his assumption about his fate. When we live in the assumption of something, whether positive or negative, it begins to manifest in our reality.
Jonathan, embodying faith and trust in the unseen, responds with an immediate reassurance that David's fear is unfounded. This exchange sets the tone for Neville's key principle: when we persist in our assumptions, we create the reality that aligns with them—whether those assumptions are based in fear or faith.
Jonathan’s Faithful Assurance (1 Samuel 20:4)
“Jonathan said to David, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.’”
Jonathan's response here reflects the power of alignment with our assumptions. When we assume a desired outcome—such as safety, success, or peace—everything in the world begins to shift to align with that assumption. Jonathan’s willingness to help David is symbolic of how the universe, or our external circumstances, will move in response to our assumptions.
Neville often speaks about acting as though your assumption is already a fact, and Jonathan’s commitment to supporting David embodies this. His faith is steadfast, and he is prepared to act in accordance with David’s desired outcome, regardless of the external fear that may be present.
David’s Test of His Assumption (1 Samuel 20:5-7)
“David said, ‘Look, tomorrow is the New Moon festival, and I am supposed to dine with the king; but let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow. If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David earnestly asked for permission to hurry to Bethlehem.’”
In these verses, David sets up a test to validate his assumption that Saul intends to harm him. This is an important element in Neville’s teachings: when we live in the assumption of an outcome, we often create circumstances or "tests" that help us confirm whether our assumption aligns with our desired result. David's plan to hide in the field is symbolic of the inner test we create to check the validity of our assumptions.
However, David's test is based on an assumption of fear—the belief that he is in danger. His assumption drives the creation of a situation where he might be proven right. Neville often says that the assumption shapes not just our thoughts but the very events and circumstances around us.
Jonathan's Reassurance and Trust (1 Samuel 20:8-9)
“Jonathan replied, ‘Never! If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?’”
Jonathan’s words here embody the faith that Neville emphasises in his teachings. In the face of David’s fear, Jonathan represents the unwavering trust in a positive outcome. He insists that David's assumption of harm is false. In Neville's framework, Jonathan's faith can be seen as the higher self, the part of us that knows the truth of the desired end, regardless of the external evidence that may be at odds with it.
In our own lives, when we assume that our desired outcome is inevitable, we must hold firmly to that belief, even when external circumstances suggest otherwise.
The Arrows as a Test of Assumptions (1 Samuel 20:10-17)
“Jonathan said to David, ‘I will shoot three arrows to the side of the stone… If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the Lord has sent you away.’”
Jonathan sets up a test with three arrows, symbolic of how we test our assumptions in life. The arrows represent external feedback that either affirms or challenges our assumptions. Neville teaches that once we assume an end, we must live as though that end is already a reality. If our assumptions are in alignment with our desires, we receive confirmation (the arrows falling to a certain side).
Jonathan’s signal to David mirrors the process of adjusting and refining our assumptions. If David had assumed that Saul would try to harm him, the response (the arrows) would affirm that belief, confirming his assumption. However, if Jonathan’s signal had been different, David would have had to adjust his assumption accordingly.
The Field of Possibility (1 Samuel 20:18-23)
“Jonathan said to David, ‘Tomorrow is the New Moon festival, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty…’”
In these verses, Jonathan sets up a scenario where David’s absence will be noticed, further testing the assumption of whether Saul will react with anger or not. The field where Jonathan and David meet represents the space of potential—where new assumptions can be made and tested.
This aligns perfectly with Neville’s teachings: the imagination is the field where we plant our assumptions and see them grow. In this case, Jonathan helps David see the possibility of an outcome—safety, peace, or reconciliation—by providing him with a concrete way to test his assumption.
The Arrows and the Shift in Assumptions (1 Samuel 20:24-29)
As the festival begins and Saul reacts to David’s absence, we see the consequences of David’s assumption of danger. Saul’s anger at Jonathan for helping David mirrors how external circumstances can reflect our assumptions—whether they are grounded in fear or faith. When Saul grows furious, it reinforces David’s assumption that his life is in danger.
However, this external conflict does not change the underlying truth that Jonathan, symbolising faith, is supporting David’s eventual safety and success. Saul’s fury is simply a reflection of David’s earlier assumption of threat. Jonathan’s reaffirmation of their covenant represents Neville’s belief that when we persist in our assumption, no external circumstances can alter our course.
Conclusion: Living in the End
In the story of 1 Samuel 20, we see the full power of Neville Goddard’s Law of Assumption. David’s assumption of danger creates a reality where he tests that assumption through his interactions with Jonathan and Saul. Jonathan, embodying unwavering faith, supports David’s assumption of safety, ensuring that David holds firm to his desired outcome.
Just as Jonathan’s arrows serve as feedback to David, we too receive signals from the world that confirm our assumptions. When we live in the assumption of our desired outcome, the universe aligns to bring it into reality. The key is to persist in the assumption, regardless of external circumstances, and trust that the outcome will manifest as intended.
The lesson here? Our assumptions are incredibly powerful. When we assume something, we not only create it in our imagination, but we also bring it into our external reality. If we wish to manifest something new, we must assume it, live in the feeling of its reality, and trust that the world will reflect this assumption back to us.
By embracing the power of assumption, we can transform our circumstances just as David and Jonathan navigated the complexities of their relationship, revealing the profound impact of the inner world on our external experiences.
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