There
was no telling the degree of hatred Saul had for David. His focus, as we have
seen so far, was to eliminate him totally. He saw David as a threat to his
throne and popularity. He didn’t realize that his time and season were over.
God had appointed for Himself another man after His own heart. One of the
saddest facts of life is for a person not to be able to appraise himself but
remain oblivious of his own status. Saul was such a man. Blinded by his
incense for David, he pursued him relentlessly even though he had not been
successful. How could he when God was on David’s side? Everyone, except for
Saul, could see from what was happening that David was the true leader. The
saying is true, there is none so blind as one who would not see. If we are to take
hold of life appropriately, we need to honestly appraise ourselves.
Since Michal, his wife sent him off,
David had been a fugitive. He had been running with his father-in-law in hot
pursuit. Every time Saul got wind of where he was, he would soon be there. With
Saul hot on his heel, so determined to exterminate him, David felt the enormous
pressure. Not only had he to consider for his own safety, but he also had to
consider the safety of those who dared to associate with him. His experience in
Nob with both Ahimelech and Doeg told him so. Now at Keilah, he had to evaluate
the people he was in contact with and to decide for himself whether he could
trust them not to give him away to Saul. He found it difficult to put himself
at ease with the people of Keilah whom he had rescued from the hand of the
Philistines. But thankfully he had a God whom he could totally trust, and Who
had his back covered. Like him, this God, whom we have also come to love, has
our back covered, and we can trust Him. Now David was in the wilderness of
Ziph at Horesh, located in the southern part of Judah, approximately about
twelve miles south of Keilah. He was also fully aware of Saul's evil intention
against him, seeking his life.
A simple calculation will tell us that
he must be at the lowest point of his life. How wouldn’t he? He was running
with his motley bunch of 600 with Saul in hot pursuit. He had been betrayed by
Doeg. Then told by God that the people of Keilah would surrender him to Saul. Now
he was located in the wilderness. Apart from a faithful God, what hope would he
have? Thankfully he had a good friend in Jonathan. A true friend is one who
knows your plight, who would turn up in the most critical and depressing moment
of your life and speak the truth into your future. While his father was
pursuing David’s life, Jonathan came and encouraged him in God. A
true friend and a godly one too. The moment between the two must be quite
a scene. This was the last time they would meet.
Jonathan’s
words were comforting. Though humanly speaking he was the heir apparent, yet he
could see clearly the plan God had for David. He could tell that he was God’s
appointed. So he said to David, “Do not be afraid, because of the hand
of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I
will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” What
an encouragement! Jonathan knew David was God’s man and he was not jealous. So
that day where they were, the two bosom friends reaffirmed their covenant. Then
Jonathan went home. This was their final meeting.
True
friends are affirming. They are not threatened by your gifting and calling.
They are faithful and would encourage and help you to evaluate yourself more
accurately. They speak into your life honestly and truthfully. More importantly, they pray for you. Not only do we need such a godly friend, but we must also
seek to be one. A true friend is really rare!
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