David’s Barnabas

When David and his men flee from Keilah upon word of Saul’s approach, they go “wherever they could” (v. 13). They become vagabonds, moving about from place to place in the Wilderness of Ziph, which is in southern Judah, just west of the Dead Sea. They bounce from one “stronghold” to another, sometimes in the mountains, sometimes in forest, in order to stay ahead of Saul, who is hot on David’s trail. Never once does David turn to give battle; never once does he set an ambush for Saul. Instead, he simply flees, for he understands that God will bring him to the throne in His time, and it is not his own place to rewrite the timetable. “He keeps God’s way, waits God’s time, and is content to secure himself in woods and wilderness, though with some it might seem a reproach to that courage for which he had been famous,” Matthew Henry writes.

Nevertheless, this is a wearying, terrifying existence, and it would not be surprising if David’s faith in God’s promise of the throne should wane from time to time. Perhaps for this reason, God graciously sends David an encouraging word through an encouraging channel—his friend Jonathan. We are told that Jonathan arises and goes to David in the woods, but Henry speculates that they must have arranged this appointment through secret communications. In any case, Jonathan brings excellent counsel for David. First, he urges David not to fear, asserting that Saul will not find him. Jonathan is convinced that God will thwart Saul’s evil designs. Second, Jonathan assures David that he will come to the throne. In all probability, he reminds David of his anointing and of God’s preservation of him through many dangers to this point. Jonathan also expresses his hope that he will be able to help David as an aide or counselor to the king. Third, Jonathan declares that, on some level, even Saul knows that David is bound for the throne. Though he is breathing fire and waxing wicked, Saul is aware of the will of God.

There is nothing radically new in Jonathan’s counsel; David knows these things. But it is good for him to hear these assurances, and doubly good that they come from a trusted friend. The result is that David’s faith is strengthened. He and Jonathan close their meeting by renewing their covenant and then part, apparently for the final time.