The Blessings of True Friendship (1 Samuel 19:1-3).
After David killed Goliath, and was honored among the people for this, everything changed in David’s relationship with Saul. 1 Samuel 18:9 says, So Saul eyed David from that day forward. And since that time, Saul has repeatedly attacked David, with one persistent goal to eliminate him. Now, Saul persists in his efforts to eliminate David. Saul spoke to Jonathan, his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. David was a marked man; and Saul’s staff was instructed to kill him. What a difficult place for Jonathan his son! Jonathan loved David; and God made a wonderful bond of friendship between them, sealed by a covenant (1 Samuel 18:1-4).
Neither Jonathan or his sister Michal wanted to kill David, but Saul was relentless in his determination to kill him. Jonathan tells David to go into hiding and stay there (verse 2). From this time the man after God’s own heart would be a hunted fugitive. He would hide from his best friend’s father at the beginning of his own son near the end. The bonds of true friendship are strong, sometimes even stronger than the bonds of blood kin. In David’s time of trial, his true friend Jonathan is there to protect him from Saul’s wrath and evil diabolical plots.
A Loving Son’s Appeal to a Troubled Father (1 Samuel 19:4-5).
Jonathan’s statement to Saul is three-fold: 1) Jonathan spoke good of David, that is, Jonathan spoke favorably of him, pointing out his excellent qualities and his services to Saul and the nation; 2) on the ground of this Jonathan implored his father Saul not to sin against his servant; 3) to this he adds two reasons, a negative: “he has not sinned against thee,” that is, he has done nothing to call forth thy vengeance; and a positive: his works are very useful for thee,” that is, far from doing thee harm, he hath done thee only great service by his deeds.
The Misuse of Power in Strained Relationships (1 Samuel 19:6).
And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan, Saul not only heard him out what he had to say, but was affected by it, and wrought upon by it, and was convicted for the present that he was wrong seeking the life of David, and therefore would desist from it; the Lord working upon his mind by what Jonathan said, and inclined to listen to it, and act accordingly. And Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain; this oath he added to what he said to Jonathan, for the conformation of it, though that intention did not long continue; or with a view to deceive Jonathan, that he might acquaint David with it, so prevent his flight and escape.