KingDavid101.com
“David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”
1 Samuel 23:15-18
Somehow I think that if a hitman was actively following me, I would become fearful and a bit paranoid. I would see everyone through these fallen filters. I don’t know what I would do, and fear would consume everything.
Jonathan finds David hiding in the wilderness. Saul’s son, a man who could be king himself rejects the throne himself. Jonathan correctly sees the good in David: the anointing by Samuel, Goliath, the psalms David wrote, and all the victories over the Philistines.
There is no doubt in Jonathan’s heart. He believes in David and humbly steps aside. There is no bluster and no prideful desire for taking Saul’s throne. He understands that David will be the next king of Israel.
Jonathan’s presence to the wilderness of David was significant and timely. It’s written in verse 16 that he “strengthened his hand in God.” The word in Hebrew is somewhat broad, but it often means “to restore to strength” or “to make hard.” This is exactly what David needed to hear.
We all desperately need encouragement from someone else.
And we must be an encouragement to God’s people who are in a deep wilderness.
Sure, the Word, worship, and communion are places of encouragement for me. The “home groups” and my elders build me up (or edify).
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV
Jonathan become God’s agent to support and reassure David who hides from King Saul in a difficult place in the wilderness. What a powerful ministry. To come along the side of another and remind someone else of God’s calling, and to strengthen them of God’s purpose and work.
This passage should bless both the “would be king,” and those 600 men who have attached to David. What a blessing Jonathan is to David.
We are called to do what Jonathan did for David.
“I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.”
