Sons of Encouragement

by Francine Rivers

  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?”

  Everything in the way he sought it. “And did Samuel offer you any?” Jonathan knew better.

  “He said the Lord has done what he predicted and torn the kingdom from me, giving it to one of my rivals—to David!” Saul rocked back and forth, his face ashen. “All because I didn’t obey the Lord and carry out God’s anger against the Amalekites. The Lord will hand us over to the Philistines. I will die tomorrow. I will die and so will—” he groaned, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes—“my sons! My sons!”

  After the first sharp, hot stab of fear, calmness came over Jonathan. So be it, Lord. Your will be done. His father had waged war against God, and his entire family would bear the consequences.

  Jonathan felt a stillness inside himself. Perhaps he had known all along in the deepest recesses of his heart that he too had to die, before David could become king. For if he survived his father, there would always be those in Benjamin, like Abner, who would want him to fight to keep the crown. Even if he swore allegiance to David, the struggle would go on and on.

  Saul wailed. “What have I done? What have I done?” He fell to the ground and wept bitterly. “My sons will die and the blame must be laid upon my head. If I could live my life over, I would—”

  “Get up, Father.” The time for self-recrimination was over. Dawn approached. The enemy would not wait. “I will help you put on your armor. We will go out and face the Philistines together. And may God yet show mercy upon us.”

  God promised to show mercy to a thousand generations to those who loved the Lord. God, dare I hope You will bless my son? Please, protect him. Keep him out of the clutches of evil men.

  “You will go with me?” Saul’s eyes were wide with fear. “Even after what I’ve done?”

  “I will not abandon you. Have I not always honored you as a son should honor his father?”

  “And I have brought you to this.” Tears glistened in Saul’s eyes.

  Jonathan gave him a hand up. “I will be where I belong, fighting at your side!”

  He lifted his father’s armor and helped him strap on the breastplate. When the king was ready, they went out together. Abner and the other commanders waited, faces grim.

  Jonathan saw his brothers among them, fine men of valor. His throat tightened at the knowledge that they would die today. All of them, except the youngest who was safe in Gibeah. But safe for how long?

  The king’s armor bearer came forward and bowed low. “I was not summoned.”

  “My son Jonathan assisted me. Take your place beside me.” The young man took up two shields and stood ready.

  The battle lines were drawn. A great horde of Philistines filled the horizon, and their battle cry rose.

  Jonathan turned, clinging to one last hope. “Abner! What word of David?”

  “He is no longer with the Philistines.”

  Jonathan met his father’s gaze and saw a waking world in Saul’s eyes. Was he remembering the horde of Philistines they faced so many years ago and the boy who had rallied Israel’s courage with a sling and a stone? How different today would be with David on their side!

  Saul gave a single nod.

  Jonathan drew his sword and started his run into the valley of death.

  The shofars were blown.

  Men shouted war cries.

  The earth shook as thousands poured down the hillsides. The enemy came on like avengers lusting for blood.

  Jonathan fired arrows until he had none left.

  The sound of battle became deafening. Screams of pain. The crash of swords, iron shattering bronze. Wheels rolling. Horses galloping. The hiss of a thousand arrows.

  Malkishua was the first of Saul’s sons to fall, four arrows in his chest. Then Abinadab gave a cry of pain, struck in the thigh. An arrow through his right eye sent him backward into the dust.

  Dying men shrieked in terror and were silenced by a sword. Jonathan shouted orders to retreat. The Israelites fled before the Philistines, many falling with arrows in their backs.

  Philistines surged up Mount Gilboa. “Kill the king! Kill Saul!”

  Saul shouted, “Guard me! Keep them back!”

  Jonathan swung to the right and to the left. He parried and thrust, blocked and made an upward cut. But there were too many. Too many!

  His father ran up the hill. Jonathan followed. Arrows rained down around him. Suddenly Jonathan felt a hard blow in his side. Then another in his left shoulder.

  “Jonathan!” Saul shouted.

  Jonathan tried to raise his sword, but his strength was gone. At first, he felt no pain, and then pain so terrible he couldn’t move. Two more arrows struck him in the chest. His knees buckled.

  “My son!” Saul screamed. “My son!” A sound of rage and despair.

  Swaying, Jonathan dug the point of his sword into the earth, but he could not hold himself up. When another arrow hit him, he fell heavily, driving the arrows in deeper. He rasped for breath and tasted blood. He felt the earth and grass against his cheek. He couldn’t lift his head. Darkness closed in around him.

  Body tensing, Jonathan fought against death, his fingers digging into the soil.

  David! David!

  Lord, be with my friend when he receives the crown. Give him wisdom to rule Your people Israel!

  Battle sounds muted.
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  Everything within him fixed upon a single spot of light in the darkness. Surrendering, Jonathan sighed, blood bubbling in his throat. Then he felt lifted and drawn back like an arrow fitted into a bronze bow.

  Back . . .

  Back . . .

  Back . . .

  And then release!

  Pain vanished. Grief fell away. He burst into freedom. In the twinkling of an eye, he moved into glorious colors and sounds, past myriads of singing angels, straight and true to the mark set in heaven.

  And then Jonathan stood there, astonished and overwhelmed with joy, as he was embraced by the True Prince, who ushered him into the presence of God.

  EPILOGUE

  After the battle, the Philistines returned to Mount Gilboa and stripped the dead. When they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons, they cut off the king’s head, removed his armor, and sent out messengers across the land to boast of victory. They displayed King Saul’s armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths. His body and those of his sons hung as trophies on the walls of Beth-shan.

  When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, they remembered how he had saved them from King Nahash and the Ammonites years before. Their valiant men traveled by night and took Saul and his sons down, carrying the bodies back to Jabesh, where they placed them on funeral pyres.

  One item was removed from Jonathan’s body before the fires were lit. Their remains were buried under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and the people fasted seven days to honor the dead.

  Some were afraid of what David might do when he learned they had thus honored the former king. After all, Saul had been his enemy. Would David remember Jonathan as a friend and have mercy upon them?

  They called for a volunteer to speak on their behalf.

  “Take this to David. Perhaps he will remember his covenant of friendship with the king’s son.” The head of the elders’ council gave the young man a small bundle wrapped in white linen. “All Israel knows that Prince Jonathan and David were best friends. May David honor the fallen prince and forgive any trespasses he sees against us. Go quickly! And may God be with you!”

  The messenger headed south, traveling again through dangerous Philistine territory until he found David and his army in Ziklag.

  Grim news had traveled quickly. An Amalekite had arrived the day before, boasting that he had taken the crown from Saul’s head. David had had him executed.

  Now, David mourned and ordered his followers to do the same.

  Upon arriving at David’s camp, the messenger insisted that he must speak with the king personally. The fate of Jabesh-gilead rested in David’s hands.

  A guard ushered the young man into David’s presence.

  The king of Judah raised his head. “I am told you are from Jabesh-gilead.”

  “I bring you news, my lord.”

  David’s eyes darkened. “Better news than what I heard yesterday, I hope.”

  The young messenger bowed his head. “King Saul and his sons no longer hang on the walls of Beth-shan, my lord. Our warriors retrieved the bodies, and we have given them an honorable burial for rescuing our city from the Ammonites. I bring you this.” He held out the parcel. “It belonged to your friend Prince Jonathan. No other should have it.”

  One of the guards took the small package and brought it to David.

  David untied the leather cords and unrolled the cloth. His face contorted with grief, and tears streamed down his cheeks. “The Law.” He held the scroll Jonathan had written and carried with him through the years. Worn from daily reading, stained with Jonathan’s blood, it revealed to all the man he had been.

  King Saul had pursued David across the land, driving him from place to place, but not once had Jonathan raised a hand against David! Instead, he had remained behind, holding the tribes together so they might stand firm against their common enemy: the Philistines. In obedience to the Law, Jonathan had honored his father and died beside him on Mount Gilboa.

  David rolled the scroll carefully and placed it back in its torn leather casing. He drew the loop over his head and tucked the scroll inside his tunic against his heart. “Never did a man have a truer friend!”

  That night, David wrote a song to honor Jonathan and King Saul.

  Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills!

  Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen! . . .

  How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan!

  They were together in life and in death.

  They were swifter than eagles,

  stronger than lions. . . .

  Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle!

  Jonathan lies dead on the hills.

  How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan!

  David ordered all the men of Judah to learn the “Song of the Bow.” It was sung for years to come.

  David kept his promise to Jonathan. Although nearly all of Saul’s grandsons were executed, one survived: Jonathan’s only son, Merib-baal, also known as Mephibosheth. Crippled when his nurse fell upon him during the flight from Gibeah, he was kept hidden until David found him and took him into his household, where he lived out his life as an honored guest of the king.

  An even greater promise was kept, too—one from the Lord God of Israel, who said in the Law that He would lavish love for generations to come upon those who loved Him: From Mephibosheth came many descendants, and like Jonathan, they became mighty warriors, renowned as experts with the bow.

  SEEK AND FIND

  Dear Reader,

  You have just finished reading the poignant story of Jonathan, prince of Israel, by Francine Rivers. As always, it is Francine’s desire for you the reader to delve into God’s Word for yourself and discover the real story of Jonathan.

  Jonathan’s legacy was faithfulness. He was obedient to God at all costs, a loyal servant and regent of Israel. He was a trustworthy friend, an honorable son, and a protective father. He willingly accepted the course God charted for him and embraced his faith with all his might.

  May God bless you as you discover the course He has laid out for you. May you willingly embrace it and find your legacy in Him.

  Peggy Lynch

  FAITHFUL TO GOD

  Seek God’s Word for Truth

  Read the following passage:

  “But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king. All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the LORD has granted your request.

  Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. But if you rebel against the LORD’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.

  “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.”

  Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years. Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul’s son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin.

  Soon after this, Jonathan attacked and defeated the garrison of Philistines at Geba. The news spread quickly among the Philistines. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Hebrews, hear this! Rise up in revolt!” All Israel heard the news that Saul had destroyed the Philistine garrison at Geba and that the Philistines now hated the Israelites more than ever. So the entire Israelite army was summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

  The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000
charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard-pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.

  Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.

  Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”

  Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the LORD’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

  “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”

  1 SAMUEL 12:12-15, 23-25; 13:1-14

  List the warnings Samuel proclaimed at Saul’s coronation.

  Who else besides Saul would have heard these admonitions?

  What actions did Saul take?

  What did Samuel tell him? List the specifics.

  How would this affect Saul’s son Jonathan?

  What effect might information like this have had on Jonathan’s attitude toward God? toward his father?