Jonathan was concerned about his father's decision to kill David and warned his friend not to be careless. The Law of Moses said: You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13). Against the desire to take someone's life, there is still the following heavenly guidance:  Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.  (Exodus 23.7). Now, the king knew that his will came from words of falsehood; by clinging to them, he would never be justified!

Since Saul was the king of Israel, he thought he had the right to decide who would live or die. Why do so many people allow themselves to be deceived by the evil one, even though they know they are in the wrong? Sin separates man from his Creator, leading him to suffer as long as he lives and to spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone, in the midst of unimaginable torment (Revelation 20:10; 21:8). It's worth converting and consecrating yourself to the Lord of salvation!

Jonathan said that he would be by his father's side wherever David was. This must have comforted the hero of Israel, who had done nothing to deserve such treatment from the king. We have to be vigilant about the Lord's commandment, so that we never give in to the tempter. The Word says: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5.44). Do it!

In the course of their conversation, Jonathan would try to talk to his father about his friend, explaining that there had been some misunderstanding; after all, David respected him and fought his nation's wars with all fervor and love. So Saul's trick was to say: As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed (1 Samuel 19.6b), but only to comfort his son. The cunning man only thinks about how he will carry out his evil intention, so as not to be blamed by society, because his will is always evil.

Jonathan's words calmed David's heart, because it didn't matter what his father ordered; even if it was the worst, Jonathan would reveal it to his friend. In those trying days, the future king of Israel obeyed the Lord, without planning to repay the evil the king wished him. They were opposites: Saul, the evil servant of God, and David, the young man prepared to be a good servant. As much as hatred seized his heart against Saul, David submitted himself to the Most High, who would give him victory!

Jonathan promised to let him know what would be decided at the meeting between father and son and would let him know if the father didn't repent of his plan. Jonathan's words implied that he would put an end to the threat. Jesse's son was facing a man possessed by the devil, who had already directly tried to take his life, as well as sending him to war to be killed by the enemy, but God sees everything (1 Samuel 18:10-17).

The true friend does everything for the other person, helping them in their needs, just as the Holy Spirit works on our behalf before the Father: Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8.27). Just live by the Word, and you will be protected continually. Believe it!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares