There is only so much that one person can take. Some people have a higher threshold than others, for sure. But no wonder that David would have felt the pressure as he was eing hunted from place to place, even while he still defended towns from Philistine assault. Then, sneaking out from the camp of David’s enemy comes the one man who can help him, Jonathan. The man who’s love for David is the stuff of legends. The man who was content to advance his political rival’s cause. The man who had learnt that following someone else can be the cause of much dignity. Now, here he comes to offer his help. What does he do? Does he put a hand on David’s shoulder and comfort him? Does he rebuke David for his lack of faith? Does he whip out a scroll of the book of Joshua and instruct him by how to behave as a good Christian? Does he explain some doctrine? It seems he does none of that, or if he did, it was not considered important enough to record except in the summary form. Jonathan pointed David to God himself. He helped him to receive comfort, strength, and encouragement from the one who he had sung to in the wilderness caring for those few sheep. Brothers and sisters when we see someone who seems weak, this is what we too must do. This is what it really means to encourage someone. It is the purpose of prophecy. It is what Barnabas was known for. This weekend, look for an opportunity to help someone else find strength in God.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. (1 Samuel 23:16-18, ESV)
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