The Challenge of Conflicting Loyalties

 At first, Saul was very fond of David and placed him in charge of his army. Before long, though, Saul fell victim to the very enemy that failed to conquer Jonathan-jealousy. David met with victory after victory against Israel's enemies, the Philistines. David thus won praise and admiration. Some women of Israel even sang: "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul did not like that song.  "From that day on," we read, "Saul was always looking at David suspiciously." (1 Samuel 18:7, 9) He feared that David would try to take the kingship away from. That was foolish on Saul's part. True, David knew that he was to succeed Saul, but he never even considered supplanting Jehovah's anointed king while the man still reigned!

Saul schemed to get David killed in battle, but nothing worked. David kept winning battles and growing in the esteem of the people. Saul's next move was to try to unite his household-all his servants and his eldest son-in a plot to kill David! Imagine how sick at heart Jonathan must have been to see his father act that way! (1 Samuel 18:25-30; 19:1) Jonathan was a loyal son, but he was also a loyal friend. Now that those loyalties seemed to be in conflict, which one should win out? 

Next time: The Challenge of Conflicting Loyalties - Conclusion 

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