1 Samuel 19

Jonathan was a friend of David. He expected that it was his own destiny to be lower, and it was the calling of David to be higher. Rather than being envious about this, he delighted much in David.

Saul's attitude toward David was more complex. When Jonathan made a sound argument to his father about David, Saul was genuinely moved by his words. He committed to his son that he would not seek to put David to death. But when David was successful in battle against the Philistines, and a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon King Saul yet again, Saul's malice returned. He sought to pin David to the wall with his spear.

This man David was now the king's son-in-law, yet Saul planned to have messengers murder him in his bed. At his wife's insistence, David fled. The Lord preserved the life of His anointed through many dangers.

David was not just lucky. God was keeping His life for His own good purposes. When messengers heard where David was they found themselves filled with the Spirit and unable to pursue Him. This same spiritual intervention even happened to Saul. Saul was filled with a prophetic spirit. He could not kill David any more than the enemies of Jesus could kill the Messiah in Nazareth. They wanted to throw Jesus down a cliff, but Luke 4:30 tells us that “passing through their midst, he went away.”

His time had not yet come to die.

God had a purpose for David, and Saul could not overturn that plan. God had a purpose for Jesus, and no power above or below could hold Him back from accomplishing His will.

Amazingly, you and I who believe in the Name of the Son of God have been caught up into the powerful eternal purpose of the Almighty. He has a plan for our lives too. That plan will be accomplished.

Though we may have dangerous enemies among men and angels, and though we may often be our own worst enemies, we have a Friend who sits at the right hand of the Father above who pleads for our lives.

His reasoning with His Father is undeniable. His wounds speak a Word in heaven that is respected in that place of highest authority. The blood of Jesus was shed for us. We have been redeemed. Nothing can separate us from the Father's love and His good eternal purpose for our lives.

Be not afraid.