1Sa 23:16 | KingComments | STEP | David cannot stay long anywhere. He must flee from place to place. At the same time God protects him and does not deliver him into Saul’s hand. During the run there is an unexpected encounter with Jonathan who “encouraged him in God”. Jonathan strengthens David in his trust in God. Spiritual fellowship and fraternal compassion during trials are a refreshment. It feels like the dew of heaven. It is not so much about where we can get it, but where we can give it. Jonathan’s arrival at David in the wilderness is as Divinely timed as Titus’ arrival at Paul in Macedonia: “For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more” ( ). Jonathan encourages David by telling him not to be afraid of his father. He knows that his father will not succeed in killing him. He reminds him that he will become king. This is what God promised him and for Jonathan it is therefore certain that David will be the same. Until now Jonathan speaks the language of faith. This is the only way that someone can be encouraged. What he adds regarding himself is not the language of faith. It is the language of humility when we see that he wants to take second place. Yet that will not happen. It is not for him to reserve that place for himself (cf. ). The reason is that he does not follow David in his rejection. Only those who suffer will also reign. This also applies to us: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” ( ). As son of Saul, Jonathan cannot be connected to David as ruler either, because nothing of Saul’s house can be connected to the government of God’s people. David does not succeed Jonathan’s father, but takes his place. Saul is a king to the heart of the people. With David begins a completely different kingship, a kingship of the man after the heart of God. What Jonathan says of his father, makes clear Saul’s terrible apostacy. Saul acts against better judgment. After having said this, they again make a covenant. Then comes the final separation. Jonathan goes back to his house and David flees on. From Jonathan we do not read that he returns to the palace, or that he takes place in the ranks of the persecutors of David, but that he goes to his house. He is not a follower of the persecuted David, nor is he a persecutor. We can make a hard judgment about Jonathan, but let us be careful. His love for David has been shown in many ways. We hear David impressively testify of his love for Jonathan ( ). On David’s side there is no blame for Jonathan. So let’s not do that either.

‏ 1 Samuel 23:16

Jonathan Encourages David

David cannot stay long anywhere. He must flee from place to place. At the same time God protects him and does not deliver him into Saul’s hand. During the run there is an unexpected encounter with Jonathan who “encouraged him in God”. Jonathan strengthens David in his trust in God.

Spiritual fellowship and fraternal compassion during trials are a refreshment. It feels like the dew of heaven. It is not so much about where we can get it, but where we can give it. Jonathan’s arrival at David in the wilderness is as Divinely timed as Titus’ arrival at Paul in Macedonia: “For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more” (2Cor 7:5-7).

Jonathan encourages David by telling him not to be afraid of his father. He knows that his father will not succeed in killing him. He reminds him that he will become king. This is what God promised him and for Jonathan it is therefore certain that David will be the same. Until now Jonathan speaks the language of faith. This is the only way that someone can be encouraged.

What he adds regarding himself is not the language of faith. It is the language of humility when we see that he wants to take second place. Yet that will not happen. It is not for him to reserve that place for himself (cf. Mt 20:21 ; 23). The reason is that he does not follow David in his rejection. Only those who suffer will also reign. This also applies to us: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2Tim 2:12).

As son of Saul, Jonathan cannot be connected to David as ruler either, because nothing of Saul’s house can be connected to the government of God’s people. David does not succeed Jonathan’s father, but takes his place. Saul is a king to the heart of the people. With David begins a completely different kingship, a kingship of the man after the heart of God.

What Jonathan says of his father, makes clear Saul’s terrible apostacy. Saul acts against better judgment. After having said this, they again make a covenant. Then comes the final separation. Jonathan goes back to his house and David flees on. From Jonathan we do not read that he returns to the palace, or that he takes place in the ranks of the persecutors of David, but that he goes to his house.

He is not a follower of the persecuted David, nor is he a persecutor. We can make a hard judgment about Jonathan, but let us be careful. His love for David has been shown in many ways. We hear David impressively testify of his love for Jonathan (2Sam 1:26). On David’s side there is no blame for Jonathan. So let’s not do that either.