"You Were Very Dear to Me" -Continue

 "Do not be afraid" Jonathan told his young friend. He added this reassurance: "My father Saul will not find you." On what was that reassurance based? On Jonathan's deep faith that Jehovah's purpose would succeed. He went on: "You will be king over Israel." The prophet Samuel had been commissioned to say that years earlier, and Jonathan now reminded David that Jehovah's word is always reliable. And how did Jonathan see his own future? "I will become second to you." What priceless humility the man showed! He would be content to serve under the command of this man who was 30 years his junior, to serve as his supportive right hand! Jonathan concluded: "My father Saul also knows that." (1 Samuel 23:17, 18) In his heart, Saul knew that he was doomed to lose this fight against the man Jehovah had chosen to be the next king!

In the years that followed, David surely looked back often and fondly on that meeting. It was their last. Sadly, Jonathan's hope to become second to David was never realized. 

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