“Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David 2 and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. 3 I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.” 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” 6 Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.” 1 Samuel 19.1-6
Having a friend like Jonathan is no small matter. It’s impressive that the son of the king would defend his friend over his father. From day one, Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. He was willing to do whatever it took to help protect and defend David.
Saul is driven mad by his own selfish desires and Satanic influences. Twice now evil spirits have come upon Saul and are tormenting him. He remains jealous of David and was “looking for a chance to kill him.” He told his son Jonathan and all his attendants to kill David the first chance they got. “But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David.”
Jonathan spoke to his father and convinced him not to kill David because “he killed the Philistine….and won a great victory for all Israel.” After Jonathan spoke with his father King Saul, Saul said, “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.” But as we know from later on, Saul was unable to keep this oath and would attempt to kill David time and time again.
Sometimes we think we have it bad. Our enemies are nothing compared to a king who is after our lives. But in the case of David and with us as well, God will send protection to us by giving us favor with others. This is something for which we can and should pray. Favor and protection can lead to wellbeing, success and gospel influence. We are here to propel the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring glory to God the Father. Our work on earth is not done. David was God’s anointed and God had big plans for him in Israel.
In the same way, God has great plans for us. Our purpose isn’t to make money, find success, write books or do extraordinary things which bring us success — our purpose is to bring God glory. We are to live in piety (holiness) and reflect the image of Jesus Christ. Now like Paul in Romans 7, living for God is not always easy! Sometimes the good we want to do, we do not do, but we do the evil that is lurking within us!
But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ who rescues us from the pain of sin and death. Jesus is our protector and our provider. He, like Jonathan, will bring deliverance to us as we walk as he walked and live as he lived.
Won’t you live for Jesus today? Commit your ways to him and you will find a full and favor-filled existence!
“O Lord God, you are good. I praise you for your power and your love. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your grace and truth. Even when I fail, you are faithful. Come now and take my life and use it for your glory and your good. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen