Sons of Encouragement

by Francine Rivers

  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?

  “You are alone with one of David’s servants. Are you not afraid?”

  Jonathan looked into the Hittite’s eyes. “I travel under the protection of our mutual friend. David did not send you to assassinate me.”

  “He didn’t tell me to bring you back either.”

  “That might be. But I don’t believe the Lord God, who led me to rout a Philistine army at Micmash, would let me fall to one lone Hittite!” He rested one hand on the hilt of his sword. “Your manner tells me David needs encouragement.”

>   Uriah laughed coldly. “You might say that.”

  “Then let’s go!”

  They skirted Bethlehem on the way south. Better to avoid people wherever possible so that no one would report to the king. They rode through the mountains down into the wilderness. David and his men were in Ziph.

  An alarm was shouted long before they reached the camp. Men came out, armed and ready to fight, and then stood about glaring up at Jonathan as he rode into their midst. He recognized some of his kin—disgruntled, disillusioned, and defiant men who had defected from the villages of Benjamin.

  “Uriah has taken Saul’s son hostage!”

  Men cheered, brandishing weapons. Their faces were hard, wary.

  “He is no hostage!” Uriah shouted, drawing his sword. “He is David’s guest. Back away!”

  Joab, David’s nephew and older than he by some years, stood before the rest. He flipped a Philistine knife up and down in his hand. “Greetings, Jonathan, son of King Saul.” He did not address him as “my lord, the prince.”

  His tone set Jonathan on edge. Swinging his leg over the horse, Jonathan slid to the ground. He would not turn his back on Joab. “I come under the protection of my friend, David.”

  “Did he ask to speak with you?”

  “Jonathan!”

  Jonathan stepped past Joab and smiled in greeting.

  Face strained, David strode toward him. “Get back! Stand away from him!” Men moved at David’s command. He glowered at Joab. “The prince is my guest! See that the men are more suitably occupied.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Joab bowed. His dark eyes glanced at Jonathan before he turned and shouted for the others to go about their business.

  David turned on Uriah. “I told you to deliver a wedding gift to Prince Jonathan, not take him captive!”

  “I came of my own accord, David. If Uriah had not agreed to bring me, I would have followed him.” He extended his hand to Uriah. “May the Lord bless you for your kindness to me.”

  “And you as well, my lord.” The Hittite left them alone.

  David looked sick with apprehension. “You should not have come here.” He glanced around pointedly. “Are you eager to die?”

  “Is that any way to greet a friend?”

  They embraced and slapped one another on the back. Jonathan laughed. “It has been too long, my friend.” So many years had passed since last they spoke. “You have an army now.”

  “Your father will one day catch up with me. Sooner or later, he will hunt me down and trap me in some dank cave. He has three thousand men, the best warriors in all Israel. And I have only six hundred.”

  “I brought you something.” Jonathan reached inside his breastplate.

  “My sling!” David took it. He looked up. “But I gave it to you as a gift.”

  “Yes, and I’m giving it back to you. Do you remember the last time you used that?”

  “The day I killed Goliath.”

  “You were not afraid that day, and your courage rallied every Israelite who witnessed what you did. The Lord gave us victory.”

  “I was a boy, then, racing into battle with the belief that the Lord was with me.”

  “And so He was.”

  “The Lord has forsaken me.”

  Jonathan understood now why he had felt impelled to see David. “Ah, my friend, the Lord has not abandoned you. And it is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.” He smiled sadly. “Such a youth could come from the sheep pastures and succeed. He might even become king, though he was born to poverty. Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.”

  David stared at him. “Surely you know better. I don’t want the throne!”

  “Neither did my father. Once. Long ago. Now, he hangs on to it with every fiber of his strength and wields fear like a whip over God’s people.”

  “Why are you saying these things to me?”

  Jonathan wanted to say more, but he didn’t want to speak before David’s men and plant thoughts of rebellion. It was one thing to run from a king, another to run after him. “Can we leave your camp and walk a while? Alone?”

  David gave orders to his guards. They didn’t look pleased as they walked away, but they kept their distance.

  “What am I to do, Jonathan? You know I’ve never done anything against the king.” Tears flowed. “I have served him with everything I had. And yet he hates me! He hunts me like an animal! Everywhere I go, someone betrays me and sends word to Saul. They seek a reward for my life. And I must live with men who live by violence, men I barely trust.”

  Jonathan was reminded of his father as he listened to David’s outburst. Tempestuous. Filled with fear. Steady him, Lord. “Don’t be afraid, David. Trust in the Lord and the power of His strength to protect you. My father will never find you!”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  It was time to speak what he knew in his heart. “Did Samuel not anoint you king years ago in Bethlehem?”

  Color surged into David’s cheeks. “How did you know?”

  “It was obvious that you were God’s servant the first time I heard you sing in my father’s house. And when you went down to face Goliath, and all the times you fought against the enemies of the Lord. When we sat and studied the Law together, I knew you were a man after God’s own heart. You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware. The Lord is our rock. He is your deliverer.” He gave a soft laugh. “What a pity I cannot play the harp and sing songs that will fill you with hope.”

  Jonathan spread his hands. “I have spent hours—days—thinking about what you’re going through, consumed with guilt because it is my father who causes you trouble. And I must believe that the battles you’re facing now aren’t coming to you apart from God.”

  “Then where is He?”

  “The Lord watches over you, David. He sees your coming out and going in. He is training you for a higher purpose. My father, even now, is being given opportunities to repent, and it grieves me beyond words to watch his heart grow harder with every test he faces.” His voice broke.

  David put his hand upon his arm.

  Jonathan swallowed hard. “May your heart soften like rich, plowed earth in which God will plant His seeds of truth and wisdom.” He spoke with conviction. “God has not forsaken you, David, nor will He. Not as long as you hold fast to Him and you walk—or run—in His ways.”

  David relaxed. His muscles loosened, and he smiled faintly. “I have missed you, Jonathan. I have missed your counsel.”

  Jonathan’s throat closed.

  David looked out over his camp. “You see the sort of men I command. Fugitives. Malcontents. Men bent on violence. I hate living like this!”

  “If you could rule such men and turn their hearts toward God, what a king you would be!”

  David kept his face turned away. “They urge me to fight back, to kill your father and destroy the house of Saul.”

  It was the custom of the nations around them.

  Jonathan spoke carefully. “God anointed my father king, but He anointed you as well. What does the Law say?”

  David grew pensive. He closed his eyes. “‘You must not murder.’”

  “So what does that leave you?”

  “I must wait.”

  “And teach your men to wait upon the Lord as well.” He went to David and stood with him, looking out over the wilderness. “No one can truly lead men until he learns to follow God.”

  David smiled ruefully. “I never thought it would be this difficult.”

  Jonathan put his hand on David’s shoulder and squeezed. “Do what you know is right, what we talked about all those evenings we read the Law together so many years ago. Do not repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when my father and those who follow him tell lies about you. Do good for the people. That is what God wants you to do, no matter what your circumstances.”

  “You see the way I live. From hand
to mouth. Running, always running.”

  Jonathan wept. “I can only tell you what I know. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to your prayers. The Lord turns His face from evil. I have watched how God has turned from my father because Saul rejected Him. The Law tells me to honor my father. It does not say honor him only if he is honorable.” His sorrow sometimes pulled him down into despair.

  “I walk a narrow path, David, between a king whose heart grows harder with every year that passes and a friend who will be king. But I will keep to it in obedience to the Lord. A man who lives by his own light and warms himself by his own fire one day will lie down in eternal torment. Such is the life my father leads, David, seeing enemies where there are none, hungry and thirsty for the Word of God and not even knowing it. His every act of disobedience widens the gap between himself and the One who can give him peace: the Lord!”

  Jonathan raised his hands in anguish. “Lord, I do not want to follow my father. I long to follow after You, to be where You are. Don’t You jealously long for Your people to be faithful? Surely You offer us the strength we need to keep faith. Give us strength!”

  David looked at him, eyes awash. “I had not thought how this must be for you.”

  Jonathan’s shoulders relaxed. His mouth tipped. “You’ve had other things on your mind. Surviving, for one.”

  “But what about you, Jonathan? You are the prince of Israel, heir to your father’s throne.”

  “Don’t make the same mistake my father has. It’s not my father’s throne. It’s God’s throne to give to whomever He chooses. And the Lord sent Samuel to anoint you the next king of Israel.” He wanted David to understand. “I love my father, David, but I’m not proud of him. When I heard what he ordered at Nob, I was ashamed of the blood that runs in my veins.”

  David spoke in a quick rush of words. “It was my fault that happened, Jonathan. I saw Doeg. If I’d killed that Edomite, none of those priests would have died. Their wives and children would still live.” He nodded toward the camp. “Ahimelech’s son, Abiathar, is with us and under our protection.”