IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - A Growing Darkness

 Despite Saul's faults, Jonathan kept fighting loyally at his father's side through the years.  We can only imagine  his dismay as he saw his father develop a disobedience and proud spirit. A  darkness was growing in his father, and Jonathan was powerless to stop it.

The problem came to a head when Jonathan assigned Saul to wage war against the Amalekites, a people so immersed in wickedness that back in Moses' day, Jehovah had foretold the destruction of the entire nation.  (Exodus 117:14) Saul was told to destroy  all their livestock and to execute their king, Agag.  Saul won the battle, no doubth with Jonathan fighting bravely under his father's command as usual.  But Saul flagrantly disobeyed Jehovah,  sparing Agag and keeping the wealth, the livestock intact. The prophet Samuel pronounced Jehovah's final judgment on Saul:  "Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has rejected you from being king." - 1 SAMUE: 15:2, 3, 9, 10, 23.

It was not long thereafter tha tJehovah withdrew his holy spirit from Saul.  Without Jehovah's loving influence, Saul wa subject to mood swings, fits of temper, and overwhelming fears.  It was as if a bad spirit from God had replaced the good one. (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10-12) 

How it must have distressed Jonathan to see his once noble father so terribly changed!  Nonetheless, Jonathan never sweved from his loyal service to Jehovah.  He supported his father as best he could , even speaking to him quit frankly at times, but he kept his focus on his unchanging God and Father, Jehovah. - 1 SAMUEL 19:4, 5. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Conclusion of A Growing Darkness

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