The Prince: Jonathan (22 page)

Saul’s expression softened. “What do you desire, my son?”

“I want to destroy the Philistines. I want to drive God’s enemies from our land. I want to unite our people beneath one king, the king God has anointed. I want our people to be at peace with God!”

“You want God back on the throne.”

“Yes!” With all his heart, Jonathan wished it could be so.

David escaped to Philistia with his army and lived in Gath under the protection of King Achish. David had two wives with him. One had brought him an alliance with Jezreel, and the other, the great wealth of Nabal of Carmel.

Jonathan grieved at the reports he heard. Had David forgotten the Law? The Law said a king was not to have multiple wives! Women would divide his heart. Had the years of fleeing Saul made David value military alliances over obeying the Lord their God?

“So much for your friend’s loyalty. He beds down with our enemies,” Saul said.

“And may return with information we sorely need.”

Saul shook his head, refusing to believe any good of David. “If he learns the secret to forging iron, he will use it to make weapons against us.”

Abner looked at Jonathan grimly. “Achish has given David Ziklag.”

Saul raged. “He is out of my reach living in Philistine territory.”

Anger welled in Jonathan. “It will please you both to remember that Goliath was from Gath. David will be no more welcome in Gath than he is in Judah.”

“I had forgotten.” Saul laughed. “Goliath’s relatives will serve me well if they kill him.”

Jonathan knew better. Not even Goliath’s relatives would last long against David and his mighty men. The Lord protected them.

Over the ensuing months, Jonathan heard rumors. David went out on raids and returned with sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels. But none of the villages that had been raided in Israel had seen David.

Jonathan remembered how he and David had plotted raids upon the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, enemies of Israel from ancient times. The Amalekites had been the worst of all, murdering the weak and weary stragglers who could not keep up with the slaves fleeing Egypt.

Jonathan suspected where David gained his wealth. But the raids added to the danger David was in. Being familiar with the Hebrew songs honoring David for killing his tens of thousands, the Philistine commanders would have no reason to trust David! And knowing that David ran from Saul, they’d wonder what better way to prove himself and win back Saul’s favor than by betraying his hosts, the Philistines.

Jonathan laughed at David’s boldness, as David grew rich from raiding Philistine villages while living under the protection of the king! Surely the Lord laughed as well. David would have time now to learn the secrets of forging iron.

Not a doubt regarding his friend entered Jonathan’s mind. One day, David would return to Israel, and he would bring with him the resources and knowledge gained from the Philistines.

The only question was whether the Lord would allow David to return in time to save Saul from his own miscalculations.

Heading for Aphek, the Philistines gathered their forces, and Jonathan feared they brought God’s judgment with them.

Jonathan lifted Merib-baal onto his shoulders and went out into the fields. “Run, Abba! Run!” Merib-baal spread his arms like an eagle and squealed with laughter as Jonathan ran.

Reaching the stone pile, Jonathan lifted his son down and set him upon his feet. “I must go away again, my son.”

“Me go, too.”

“No.”

“Don’t go.” Merib-baal wrapped his arms around Jonathan’s neck and clung.

Jonathan held him tight and then pried his son’s arms loose and held them at his side. “Stand still. You must listen now, Merib-baal. This is important. Look at me!” The boy raised his tear-streaked face. “Remember what I’ve taught you. Always worship the Lord our God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.”

Jonathan touched his son’s chest and forehead, and ran his hands down his son’s arms. He struggled against the emotions filling him. Was his son too young yet to understand?
Lord, make him understand. Open his heart to my words
.

Digging his fingers into the earth, Jonathan took Merib-baal’s hand. He poured soil into it. “This is land the Lord our God gave to us. It is our inheritance. We are God’s people. Your abba must go away and fight to make sure no one takes it from us. Do you understand?”

“I don’t want you to go.” Merib-baal had his mother’s eyes. Doe eyes filled with innocence and sorrow.

Oh, God, protect my son!
The boy’s weeping pierced Jonathan’s heart. Jonathan knew there was always a chance he might not return. He had never talked of David with his son before, but perhaps he was old enough now. He had to be old enough. He held Merib-baal away. “Do you know who David is?”

“Enemy.”

“No. No, Merib-baal. You must listen to me. David is my friend. He is your friend, too.” Jonathan cupped his son’s face. “Remember this, Merib-baal. One day you will meet David. When you do, I want you to bow down to him. Bow down with your face to the ground the way men do before Grandfather. God has chosen David to be the next king over Israel. David will be your king. Do whatever David asks of you. Be his friend as your abba has been his friend. Don’t make him sad.”

Merib-baal nodded.

Lifting his son, Jonathan swung him back onto his shoulders and headed back to Gibeah.

The child’s nurse waited at the city gate and followed them to the house.

Jonathan put his son down, hugged and kissed him. He buried his face in the side of his son’s neck, inhaling his scent.

Merib-baal’s arms tightened around his neck. “I love you, Abba.”

Jonathan’s heart lurched. “I love you, too, my son.” He combed his fingers through the thick curly locks of soft hair. “Practice with your bow. Listen to the reading of God’s law every day.” Jonathan had made arrangements for it to be read in his absence. “Go now and play while I speak with your nurse.” He straightened, watching his son scamper off.

“If you should hear that the Philistines have defeated us, hide my son quickly. Do you understand?” The Philistines would sweep across the land, hunting down all of Saul’s relatives and putting them to the sword if they could.

“Yes, my lord.”

He saw the nurse understood. “Do as I’ve instructed. Do not wait for the counsel of others. Get Merib-baal away from Gibeah. Keep him safe until David becomes king. Then take my son to him.”

“But, my lord—”

“You need not fear David.” Jonathan prepared to leave. “He and I made a covenant of friendship. David will keep his oath.”

Jonathan saw terror in his father’s eyes when the king heard that a great multitude of Philistine warriors was headed for Shunem, and David was sighted among their numbers, marching at the rear with King Achish.

Saul turned to Jonathan. “Your friend fights for our enemies now.”

“Never.” Jonathan remained convinced. “When the battle begins, King Achish will be the first to fall, and David will attack the Philistines from the rear.”

Abner looked grim. “If that happens, we may have a chance.”

Without David’s help, there was no hope. The Philistines vastly outnumbered the Israelites. Deserters had bled Saul’s army, and swollen the ranks of David’s. Even the tribe of Manasseh and some from Benjamin had joined David. He led a great army now, like the army of God.

“We will camp at Gilboa.”

When Jonathan stood on the hill above the Philistines’ camp at Shunem, he drew his breath. His heart sank. There were so many warriors, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Beside him, Saul stared, appalled. “We are undone.” He backed away. “I must . . . pray. I must inquire of the Lord.” When Jonathan turned to follow, Saul shook his head. “Go and see to our men, Jonathan. Encourage them. Abner will assist you.”

It was nightfall before Jonathan returned from his mission, and his father was nowhere to be found. Jonathan went to the king’s priests. “Where is Saul?”

“He left with two of his attendants.”

It was close to dawn when the king returned to his tent, disguised as a commoner. Jonathan thought he was an intruder and drew his sword, but the king threw off his disguise and sank to his bed, his attendants melting away into the darkness.

“What does all this mean?” Jonathan grew alarmed. “Where have you been?”

Saul buried his head in his hands. “Endor.”

“Endor! Why would you go there?”

“To learn what will happen in the battle.”

Jonathan felt a wave of fear sweep over him. “What have you done?”

Saul lifted his head, wild-eyed. “Inquired of a sorceress.”

“No.” Jonathan shut his eyes.
“No!”

“I had to speak to Samuel. I had to raise him from the dead. And only she had the power to do it!”

“You know it is forbidden!” Jonathan covered his head in shame. “As God required! You expelled the mediums and spiritualists from Israel.”

“She conjured the prophet from his grave!” Saul cried out.

“And did you get your answer? You have killed us all!” Jonathan wanted to grab his father and shake him. “Even now you rebel against the Lord. You bring God’s wrath upon us!”

“I had to know what would happen tomorrow. Samuel was angry. He wanted to know why I bothered him now that the Lord has turned against me and become my enemy. All I wanted was some hope, Jonathan! Is there anything wrong with that?”