Living Room Study

1 Samuel 23

“David was in the wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.  Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you.  You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command.  Even my father Saul knows it is true.’  Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence.  Afterwards, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.”  1 Samuel 32:15-18

Isn’t it amazing how Saul couldn’t find David, but Jonathan could?  What an encouragement Jonathan must have been for David, an oasis of hope, there in the desert wilderness of Zin!  The text does not say how Jonathan knew where to find David.  It doesn’t dwell on the risks Jonathan ran; it only says he “encouraged him in his faith in God”.

How did Jonathan encourage David?

“You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command.  Even my father Saul knows it is true.”  1 Samuel 23:17b

Jonathan simply reaffirms God’s promise to David, a promise that is not directly stated in 1 Samuel, yet everyone seems to know about it.  (24:4, 25:28-31, 2 Samuel 3:9-10, 17-18)  Of course, Jonathan’s presence itself would have been a great comfort for David.  Yet, our temporal personal presence does not provide the “abiding” encouragement like the certainty of God’s Word.  That is why daily interaction with the Bible is paramount to Christian life…even more than showing compassion to others, as that is the outworking of our interaction with God’s Word.

Our best encouragement comes not by being “cuddly” with people, but by reminding them of the promises of God.  Encouragement from God, for the people of God, comes from the Word of God.

I am not depreciating the helpfulness of personal touch or care.  But in an age that wallows in “caring” and “sensitivity”, believers need to know that solid encouragement comes not from emotional closeness, but from God’s Word, His promises.

We cannot help seeing here in Jonathan’s mission, the shadow of One greater than Jonathan.  Today’s chapter is about the Lord who sustains us.  No, Saul is not gone for good; David’s distress is not over; final relief has not arrived.  But 1 Samuel 23 does show what resources the Lord gives His servants in the middle of their trials so that they can withstand the pressure of them.  True peace is not always displayed as the absence of conflict; it is most often manifest as the presence of peace in the midst of conflict.

Yes, the darkness is still there, but perhaps part of it is the “shadow” of the Almighty.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins