The Prince: Jonathan (18 page)

Jonathan prayed unceasingly that David would hold firm to his faith in God and do what was right in all circumstances, no matter what Saul attempted to do or what others might advise.

Keep David strong in the power of Your strength, Lord, or how will he keep those men from becoming worse than the Philistines? God, use this time to train David in faith. Give him wisdom and courage to endure! No matter what my father does, keep David faithful and within the bounds of Your perfect Law! Lord, may he never sin against You!

Saul raged. “My enemies increase with every day that passes!”

When a few Benjaminites deserted to David, Saul grew more afraid than ever. He summoned Jonathan every morning and kept him close. Was his own tribe about to turn against him? “You won’t desert me, will you? You’re my son, heir to my throne. You and Abner are the only ones I can trust!”

Jonathan pitied him.

Malkishua and Abinadab, now warriors themselves, stayed close to the king. Though they were his brothers, Jonathan felt no true closeness with them, not as he had with David. They saw God as their enemy and feared His judgment. He encouraged them to study the Law, but they “had no time for such pursuits.” They were eager to bring glory to Saul and themselves in battle, failing, as their father had, to grasp the truth: Victory came from the Lord!

And Jonathan’s mother lay dying, shame corroding her life. She no longer desired to live and locked herself away from everyone except Jonathan. “I’m glad he has Rizpah. For if he called for me, I would send word I never want to see his face again!” Jonathan saw her every day that he was home. Then he was sent out to destroy Philistine raiders. When he returned, his mother was dead. Whether she died by her own hand, he never heard. Nor did he ask.

Saul mourned. “Your mother wanted you to marry, Jonathan. And so you must.”

Jonathan did not want the king choosing his bride. He would not take an idol worshiper to wife, nor anyone outside the tribe of Benjamin. She must be a virgin and a woman of faith. He knew whom his mother had chosen, one who met his criteria. Rachel was of the tribe of Benjamin and a woman of excellence. She was not fascinated by idols and divination, by jewels and entertainments like Michal and so many others. “I will marry Rachel, Father.”

“Rachel? Who is Rachel?”

“Mother’s nurse for the past two years.” Clearly, the king had not bothered to visit his queen. “She is a relative, on Mother’s side.”

“Your mother comes from a long line of farmers.”

“As were we, before you became king. And happier then than now.”

Saul’s eyes narrowed. “We can find a much more suitable match for you than a poor farmer’s daughter. After all, you are the crown prince. One day, you will be king.”

Jonathan was weary of his father’s insistence that his marriage be used to forge a military alliance. He would marry in accordance with the Law and to please the Lord, not his father.

“The Law is clear, Father, and I would not risk incurring more of God’s wrath upon our house by marrying someone outside the tribe of Benjamin.”

Saul frowned. “I suppose you are right.” He smiled. “Her father will be pleased with the match. The bride-price can be dispensed with easily enough. A year’s exemption from taxes should suffice.”

“I hope you will be more generous than that, my lord.”

“Two years, then. That is more than generous.”

“How many years exemption did you give Rizpah’s family?” Jonathan had difficulty keeping his voice even.

Saul glared at him, his face reddened. “Do you dare to criticize me?”

The richer his father became, the more tightly he held the purse. While the people sacrificed to pay taxes in order to keep Saul’s army equipped and paid, the king gave up none of his pleasures. Instead, he increased and spread gifts and allowances among his advisors and counselors and higher officials. Did he hope to buy loyalty?
Human lusts are never satisfied!

Furious, Jonathan did not retreat from his father’s glare. “Surely King Saul can be as generous to the family of the future princess of the realm as he was to the family of his concubine.”

His father’s chin jutted. “Fine. Have your way! A royal price for a humble bride.”

Tense with anger, Jonathan bowed low. “Thank you, my lord. May your generosity be rewarded a hundredfold.” He could not keep the sarcasm from his voice.

“I still have three other sons who need wives. I doubt they will be as difficult to please as you are.”

“No doubt.” And more laws would be broken, adding to the sins already blackening Saul’s reign.

Veiled and seated on a platform, Rachel was carried to Jonathan through the throng of well-wishers. Careless of custom, he lifted her down and took her hand. It was cool and trembled in his. “You don’t need to be afraid of me,” he whispered in her ear as those around them laughed and shouted blessings.

Wed, he lifted the veil and stared into wide, innocent eyes, bright with tears of happiness.

When they were alone, Jonathan found himself more afraid of her than of any man he had ever faced in battle. He almost laughed. How was it possible that he could scale a cliff and defeat an army of Philistines, and yet stand trembling before this lovely, fragile girl? It took all his courage to bend and kiss her. When she stepped easily into his embrace, her body pressed to his, he felt exalted. The sweet taste of her lifted him into the heavens.

The wedding celebration lasted a week. The people danced and sang. Jonathan wished his mother had lived to see the fulfillment of her hopes.

Ebenezer acted as Jonathan’s best friend and made certain there was plenty of food and wine for everyone. But he was not David. David had been Jonathan’s equal. David would have written a song for the wedding and sung it himself.

How Jonathan missed his friend! With hundreds of people celebrating his marriage, with a beautiful young wife at his side, Jonathan had never felt more lonely.

God had commanded that a new husband have no work for a year so he could make his bride happy, but Jonathan and Rachel were not to have that pleasure.

David was in Keilah, fighting the Philistines who had been looting the threshing floors, and Saul saw an opportunity he could not resist.

“God has handed him over to me! David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with walls and gates!” Saul called up his forces for battle and left Jonathan to guard and administer the affairs of the kingdom in his absence.

After all this time Jonathan no longer wasted breath trying to dissuade his father from chasing David. God would protect David. Jonathan poured himself into holding the tribes together and strengthening them against the Philistines. Every morning, he rose before dawn to pray and read the Law. Only after that did he go out to administer justice to the people. He entrusted little to his father’s advisors, who changed their minds with every argument. Decisions must reflect the Law he still kept tucked against his heart. Judgments must be made in reverent fear of the Lord.

A steady stream of messengers kept Jonathan apprised of what happened elsewhere. David had escaped from Keilah and was now in hiding. Jonathan gave thanksgiving offerings.

What the king had ordered in Nob haunted Jonathan.

“Keep my father from shedding more innocent blood, Lord. Guard David. Let his love and righteousness grow so that all men may see his good works and glorify You!”

Ruling for an absent king was exhausting work. Jonathan loved Rachel, but he had little time with her. His passion was for the Lord and Israel.

Standing up or sitting down, walking or practicing with his bow, or even stretched out upon his bed, Jonathan spoke to the Lord, his mind filled with hope and the possibilities if men would but turn their hearts fully to God.
Lord, You made me. You created me for such a time as this. Help me to honor my father and serve Your people. I am Your servant! Give me the sense to follow Your commands and teach the people to do likewise!

How he longed to talk with David! He imagined the campaigns they could plan against the Philistines! If only things had turned out differently. Often, he remembered how it was to talk to David about the Lord, about battles they had fought together, about the future of Israel, twelve tribes united under one king. How many years had it been since he’d last seen his friend?

Ebenezer announced another messenger. “I don’t know him, my lord. And he is a Hittite.”

“I’ll hear what he has to say.”

Ebenezer returned with a stranger. The man bowed, but it was little more than a mockery of respect. “I am Uriah, and I have been sent with an important message for the prince.” He had the rough look of a brigand, still dusty from hard travel. He hadn’t bothered to wash or change his clothes before delivering his message.

“And what is your message?”

“I have brought you a gift.” He took something from his pouch.

Jonathan recognized the stripes of Judah on the cloth that wrapped the gift. “Leave us!” he told his guards.

“My lord . . . ,” Ebenezer protested, keeping his gaze fixed upon the sneering Hittite.

Jonathan forced a laugh. “He is but one man, and I am well armed. Do as I say.”

Ebenezer left the chamber.

Jonathan crossed the room and took the small parcel. He unwrapped it and found a scroll. He read quickly, a smile blooming. A psalm of praise and hope. His eyes grew moist. “I will read it again to my wife. She will be pleased.” His heart was so full, he might even sing. No, that would be a mistake. He laughed again, his heart lightened. He rolled the scroll and tucked it beneath his breastplate. “Please tell my friend that I am greatly honored and humbled by his gift.”

The Hittite stood silent, studying him.

“You must eat and rest before you return. I will see that you have safe quarters. You are under my protection until you leave. Do you understand?”

Uriah bowed formally this time.

Jonathan wanted news. “How does our friend fare?”

“How would any man fare in his circumstances? He is innocent of any wrong and yet pursued by a king and an army determined to kill him.”

Jonathan felt the sharp stab of guilt over his father’s actions. “I pray my friend has trustworthy men around him.”

“More each day, and any one of them willing to die to protect his life.”

“Good.”

Uriah’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Jonathan met his gaze squarely. “May the Lord continue to protect him.”

Uriah bowed his head. “And you, my lord prince.”

“You did not answer my question.”

The Hittite looked at him. “Nor will I.”

“Where is he?”

“Well hidden from the hands that would take his life.”

There was no reason for Uriah to trust the son of Saul, who pursued David out of jealousy. Nor would it matter to the Hittite that Jonathan had done all he could to dissuade his father from his mad pursuit. Even if he could explain, it would take too long. “I long to see him.”

“He would be the better for a visit from a trusted friend.”

Jonathan smiled, his mind set. “Then I will come.”

“What?”

“I will go back to his camp with you.”

“That would be unwise. You would be in greater danger than he is.” He shook his head. “Nor can I guarantee your safety in getting there.”

“Nevertheless, I will go with you.” Jonathan gave the man instructions to camp in the field beside the stone pile. He gave him two shekels. “Buy what you need in the marketplace and make sure those at the gate see you leave.”

After the Hittite left, Jonathan summoned Ebenezer and told him he must be “away on the king’s business.”

“I would go with you.”

“I know you would, but you won’t.” Jonathan clapped a hand on Ebenezer’s shoulder. “You’re needed here.”

“May the Lord be with you.”

“And with you.”

Uriah was waiting at the stone pile astride a Philistine stallion. Jonathan was impressed. “That is a fine mount you have.”

Uriah grinned. He reined the horse around and came alongside Jonathan’s mount. “We have taken a number of horses from the Philistines. Perhaps my master will give you one.”

And how would Jonathan explain such a gift to his father, the king?