Jonathan
took David out into the field to ensure that no one could eardrop on their
conversation. Freely expressing his own feeling, he began by assuring
David, reiterating what the latter had requested of him. He said, “The Lord,
the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about
this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is
good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make
it known to you? If it please my father to do you harm, may
the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it
known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety….” Here
Jonathan agreed with the plan of David. He promised him that he would not
withhold any information concerning his father’s intention toward David. He even
staked his life on it. A sanctified guess suggests that perhaps in the course
of his fellowship, David might have revealed to him that Samuel had anointed
him in Bethlehem. Hence, he was aware that what was happening was not just
about a conflict between his good friend and his own father. He was clear of
that larger implication. It had to do with the will and plan of God for the
nation of Israel.
Jonathan’s
blessing on David, saying “may the Lord be
with you as He has been with my father…” indicates that he understood God’s
plan. He was virtually saying that “as the Lord was with my father may He be
with you.” He could surmise that the kingship would be going David’s
way. Here was a man who understood God’s overall plan for him, and the
nation. Logically speaking, he should have been threatened by what was
happening. But he wasn’t because he knew that God’s larger plan could
never be thwarted. He knew God was installing David to be the next king. Unlike
David who at this point was concerned for the present, Jonathan, however, was
more concerned for the future. He then made David promise to deal kindly
with his family. Assured that David would ascend the throne, he was
seeking mercy and grace for his family and himself, should he remain alive.
Somehow, he seemed to be aware of the plan of God. He could tell that someday
David the fugitive would become the king of Israel.
That
day in the field, away from the hearing of anyone, Jonathan made a covenant
with David. In saying that “May the Lord require it at the hands of
David’s enemies” he was assuring David of his full backing, even though
his enemy was his own father. Unwittingly he had set himself up against his own
father. Verse 17 gave us the reason why he could make such a vow. It’s because
of his deep love for him. He loved his friend David explicitly. Like Jonathan’s
deep love for David that had set him up against his friend’s enemy, so also
must our deep love for Jesus makes us stand on His side. Let us do all we can
to protect the cause of Jesus, the lover of our soul. May we be faithful to Him
and take His side to advance His cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment