March 24, 2026 - 1 Samuel 19-23

“And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David.  But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David.  And Jonathan told David, ‘Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning’” (19:1-12).  Saul was so jealous of David’s popularity that he sought to kill David.  Jonathan, though, spoke well to his father about David, and “Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before” (19:7), well, for awhile, anyway.   The story continues with Jonathan and David concocting a scheme by which David could be informed about Saul’s intentions, that is, whether or not he continued to seek David’s death (chapter 20).  Saul was so inflamed with hatred that he even hurled a sword at Jonathan, his own son, and he certainly continued to pursue David as he fled to Nob.  The priests at Nob had assisted David when they had allowed him to eat the holy bread, and Saul, in his rage, murdered them.  David continued to run to Gath, hid inside the cave of Adullam, and eventually found refuge in the “Rock of Escape,” which opens another scene in this play, but that’s for tomorrow.  There’s an old hymn that echoes Jonathan and David’s farewell blessing “Go in peace” (20:42) as they parted in friendship and faith.  How grateful we are for friends like Jonathan who remained faithful to David even though that loyalty would threaten his own opportunity to follow his father onto the throne of Israel.

God be with you till we meet again,

by His counsels guide, uphold you,

with His sheep securely fold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.   --Jeremiah Eames Rankin (1880)