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Patriarchs and Prophets
and his pupils, under the influence of the divine Spirit. The people
were drawn together to witness this strange scene, and the experience
of the king was reported far and wide. Thus again, near the close of
his reign, it became a proverb in Israel that Saul also was among the
prophets.
Again the persecutor was defeated in his purpose. He assured
David that he was at peace with him, but David had little confidence in
the king’s repentance. He took this opportunity to escape, lest the mood
of the king should change, as formerly. His heart was wounded within
him, and he longed to see his friend Jonathan once more. Conscious
of his innocence, he sought the king’s son and made a most touching
appeal. “What have I done?” he asked, “what is mine iniquity? and
what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” Jonathan
believed that his father had changed his purpose and no longer intended
to take the life of David. And Jonathan said unto him, “God forbid;
thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or
small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide
this thing from me? It is not so.” After the remarkable exhibition of
the power of God, Jonathan could not believe that his father would
still harm David, since this would be manifest rebellion against God.
But David was not convinced. With intense earnestness he declared to
Jonathan, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step
between me and death.”
At the time of the new moon a sacred festival was celebrated in
Israel. This festival recurred upon the day following the interview
between David and Jonathan. At this feast it was expected that both
the young men would appear at the king’s table; but David feared to
be present, and it was arranged that he should visit his brothers in
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Bethlehem. On his return he was to hide himself in a field not far from
the banqueting hall, for three days absenting himself from the presence
of the king; and Jonathan would note the effect upon Saul. If inquiry
should be made as to the whereabouts of the son of Jesse, Jonathan
was to say that he had gone home to attend the sacrifice offered by his
father’s household. If no angry demonstrations were made by the king,
but he should answer, “It is well,” then it would be safe for David to
return to the court. But if he should become enraged at his absence, it
would decide the matter of David’s flight.