Jonathan Went To Find David

You can read Scripture over and over and then see something you’ve never seen before.

This morning was like that for me.

I was in 1 Samuel 23, which is right in the middle of several chapters of King Saul, in a demonic frenzy, chasing David, determined to kill him.

The only way David and his few hundred men are able to stay one small step ahead of the murderous Saul, through those treacherous years, is that they actively sought the Lord‘s direction for every next move. It wasn’t the military prowess of David’s mighty men…although they were all amazing soldiers. It wasn’t David’s strategic abilities…although he was an incredible leader. And it wasn’t just good fortune either. It was God!

“Saul hunted David day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him” (1 Samuel 23:14b).

There is the secret for all of our lives.

It doesn’t mean we can be cavalier or lazy.

It doesn’t mean we don’t draw from the wisest around us.

It means that, after taking all of the necessary precautions against your enemy and actively seeking the Lord (which David did repeatedly, through Abiathar the priest with the holy ephod), that ultimately your protection comes from the Lord.

The second surprise from this chapter came in verse 16 and has to do with Jonathan.

Like you, I have always known about Jonathan’s amazing friendship with David…and his unbelievable selflessness in gladly surrendering to David his own rightful claim to his father’s throne.

But this I’d never remembered reading about Jonathan before:  “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (1 Samuel 23:16).

We all have friendships centered around many things…hobbies, sports, child-raising, projects or just plain personal chemistry. And there is nothing wrong with that. (I dare say, some of those things were in play with David and Jonathan’s friendship.)

But the bottom line for me, from this verse, is that, when David’s back was to the wall and he was fighting for his very survival, Jonathan tracked David down (when his own father couldn’t find David) and encouraged David in his faith in God.

I have never seen this side of Jonathan before. He was a man of faith. That explains some of Jonathan’s other actions, like when he took on a Philistine garrison with just him and his armor bearer, because “God can win a battle whether He has many warriors or only a few” (1 Samuel 14: 6b).

I am so grateful to the Lord that He has given me friends and family like Jonathan. We share a lot of interests in common, but the most important quality of our relationships is that we encourage one another in our faith in God.

May I encourage you, first, to BE that kind of friend, but also to take the initiative to surround yourself with those kinds of friends. Sometimes friendships can fall to the lowest common denominator. Don’t let that happen. Pursue friends who will encourage you in the Lord…who will build up your faith in Him.