1 Samuel 23:16 (KJV)
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
As far as I can tell today, this would have been the last time (or very near to it) that David would see Jonathan face to face. And what an experience it was.
Saul sought David every day. There were people in nearly every village willing to turn David in. Even a city like Keilah—having been saved not by Saul, but by David—was willing to betray him into Saul’s hand. David was forced to retreat from one place to another, viewing almost everyone outside his small band as hostile, or at the very least, unfriendly. He hid in caves, hollows, and woods, somehow—surely supernaturally—evading Saul and his forces.
But “Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood.” He had no trouble finding him. He found fellowship with him. He connected with him, one on one.
The friendship of Jonathan—especially because he was Saul’s son—was deeply meaningful to David. It encouraged him and strengthened him to no end. David did not demand that Jonathan betray his father or stay with him. He understood why Jonathan must remain at his father’s side and made no other expectation. (We would be wise to do the same.) Yet David was exceedingly blessed by the visit of this dearest of friends.
By way of conclusion, I would like to share what Robert Hawker writes in Poor Man’s Commentary, reminding us of a Friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.” Hawker writes:
“Oh! for grace to behold thy frequent visits in the woods of this world, and the wilderness state, and as frequently to renew the covenant engagements before Jehovah, in which thou hast promised to be my portion, and I to be the purchase of thy blood forevermore.”
#StrengthenedInGod #FaithfulFriendship #InTheWilderness #GodlyEncouragement #CloserThanABrother
Never Alone: God Sent a Friend
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