Dean Rusk Arrives for SEATO Conference - Lcgmn.com

36 The PLAIN TRUTH
August, 1966
Jonathan Still a Friend
A few days after departing from Keilah, David was informed that a small
group of men was approaching the camp. David sent men to ambush the group and
bring the prisoners to him. To his astonishment he found that his soldiers had
brought in his friend Jonathan with a few trusted bodyguards. (I Samuel 23:16.)
David was very happy to see Jonathan, who had carefully slipped out of sight
of his father's spies to bring encouragement to his friend to whom he had pledged
loyalty. (I Samuel 20:42.)
"Don't be discouraged," Jonathan advised David during a long conversation
that followed his arrival in the wood. "My father won't succeed in destroying you,
no matter how stubbornly he keeps on trying. I realize that you will be the next
leader of Israel, and so does he, but his consuming envy prevents him from giving
in. Just keep away from him, and with God's help this time of troublesome hiding
will soon come to an end."
Having brought hope and comfort to David, Jonathan departed a few hours
later to return home to Gibeah by a devious route so that Saul's informers wouldn't
have a correct clue as to where he had been. Jonathan wasn't a traitor to his fa ­
ther. He was actually befriending Saul by helping to prevent him from harming
David. (I Samuel 23:17-18.)
The movements of David and his small army were observed by several people
who lived in the rugged region south of Hebron. Hoping to gain a reward by makmg
a report, they went to Saul to disclose their information.
"If you'll follow us," they told Saul, "we'll lead you right to David's camp !"
"Well'" Saul exclaimed a little bitterly. "At long last people show up who
want to help me! May God bless you for your efforts. But I'll need more information
before I take my army off in pursuit of that crafty fellow again. By the
time we would get there, he would probably be elsewhere. Go back and find out
more about his movements and his possible hiding places in that area. When I
know more about these things, I'll go after him. Meanwhile, I have no intention
of chasing him all over Judah." (I Samuel 23:19-23.)
The disappointed informers returned to their homes without the rich rewards
they thought they would receive. They had to be satisfied with relatively minor
tokens from their king. Their reports would really have been of little value to
Saul, because David and his men had already moved south a few miles along a
mountain ridge. Saul later learned of this, and though he had said that he wouldn't
pursue David by risking a futile march, he ordered his army off to the south.