Here we discover that Prince Jonathan became David's closest
friend... but, King Saul became his worst enemy. At first David was viewed by Saul as a
wonderful contributor to his court. Saul
even exalted him to a high rank in his military, but it didn't last. When it became obvious that David’s
popularity and ability had surpassed the king's - David became a target of
Saul's insane and violent jealousy. Although Saul didn't know factually that
David had been selected as his replacement, the suspicion of it flowed over
Saul like a flood. Twice Saul attempted to kill David while David was in his
presence serving him. So, Saul sent him
out of his court into a field position as the captain over 1,000 soldiers. But,
even there David's popularity grew... as did Saul's fear of him.
If I had to pick a favorite incident from this scene it
would have to be the development of the friendship between David and Jonathan.
I Samuel 18:4 paints a powerful portrait of brotherly love as it describes how
Jonathan took off his fine royal military uniform and gave it to David to wear.
It was very symbolic of the reality of what God was really doing in Israel at
that time.
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