IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - The Price of Loyalty

 Jonathan tried again to reconcile Saul with David but he had even less success. David came to see Jonathan in secret, revealing that he feared for his own life. "There is only a step between me and death!" he told his older friend. Jonathan agreed to test out his father's feelings on the matter and let David know where things stood. While David hid, Jonathan would signal him the news by using a bow and arrows. Jonathan asked only to swear to this promise: "Never withdraw your loyal love from my household, even when Jehovah wipes out all the enemies of David from the face of the earth." David agreed that he would always look out for those of Jonathan's household. - 1 SAMUEL 20:3, 13-27.

Jonathan tried to speak well of David to Saul, but the king became enraged! He called Jonathan a "son of a rebellious woman" and derided his loyalty to David as shameful to the family. He tried to appeal to Jonathan's self-interest: "As long as the son of Jesse is alive on the earth, you and your kingship will not be firmly established." Unmoved, Jonathan again pleaded with his father: "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Saul exploded in violence! Though aged, Saul was still a mighty warrior. He hurled a spear at his son! Practiced though he may have been, he missed. Deeply hurt and humiliated, Jonathan left in anger. - 1 SAMUEL 20:24-34. 

Next time: The Price of Loyalty - Conclusion

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