The Prince: Jonathan

by Francine Rivers

  “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.

  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.

  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:

&
nbsp; “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?

  FIND GOD’S WAYS FOR YOU

  Think of someone you admired who made poor choices that affected you and your future. What was the outcome?

  What was (or is) your attitude toward this person? toward God?

  Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

  PROVERBS 16:20

  What advice is offered in this verse?

  STOP AND PONDER

  Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

  EPHESIANS 5:15-18

  Faithful Servant

  SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

  Read the following passage:

  One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.

  Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh.

  No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

  “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”

  “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the LORD’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”

  When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”

  “Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the LORD will help us defeat them!”

  So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.

  Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.

  Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction. “Call the roll and find out who’s missing,” Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.

  Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here!” For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites. But while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”

  Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere. Even the Hebrews who had previously gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites. Likewise, the men of Israel who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away. So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even beyond Beth-aven.

  1 SAMUEL 14:1-23

  Describe what you learn about Jonathan from this passage.

  Who or what was the source of Jonathan’s daring feat?

  How did God honor Jonathan’s faith?

  Where were Saul and the rest of the army? What were they doing?

  What was Saul’s reaction to the event? Wha
t did he do?

  What did God do for all of Israel that day?

  FIND GOD’S WAYS FOR YOU

  Describe a time when you plunged ahead in your job, community, family, or other circle of influence to do something others thought was not possible. What was the outcome? Who or what motivated you?

  Do you consider yourself a faithful servant? Why or why not?

  The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

  PROVERBS 18:10

  What does God offer those who run to Him?

  STOP AND PONDER

  Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

  MATTHEW 21:21-22

  Faithful Friend

  SEEK GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH

  Read the following passage:

  As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”

  “I really don’t know,” Abner declared.

  “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.

  As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.

  And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”

  After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonahan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.