1 Samuel 23:14 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, David in hiding. He stayed in a wilderness, on a mountain (1 Samuel 23:14), and in a forest (1 Samuel 23:15). We should admire his fine qualities here: his humility, modesty, loyalty to his king, and patient trust in God’s providence, that is, God’s wise care over events. He did not gather his troops to fight Saul in open battle, ambush him, or take revenge for himself and for the Lord’s priests.

David made no such move. He kept to God’s way, waited for God’s time, and was content to protect himself in the woods and desert. To some, that might have looked like a shameful retreat for a man known for courage. Yet we also have reason to grieve over his hard lot, because an innocent man was made afraid for his life, a man of honor was put to shame, and a man who had served both God and his country was shut away from both and left in obscurity.

What should we learn from this? We should think less highly of this world, since it often treats its best people badly. We should also learn to accept privacy and restraint if God assigns them to us, even for people who are active and gifted. And we should long for that kingdom where goodness will always be honored, holiness will be respected, and the righteous will shine like the sun, which cannot be hidden under a basket.

Second, we see Saul hunting David as a bitter enemy. He looked for him every day, so fierce was his hatred (1 Samuel 23:14). He wanted nothing less than David’s life, so cruel was his malice (1 Samuel 23:15). As it had been from the beginning, so it was then, and still is: the one born of the flesh persecutes the one born of the Spirit (Galatians 4:29).

Third, we see God protecting David as his strong defender. God did not hand him over to Saul, as Saul hoped (1 Samuel 23:7). And unless God allowed it, Saul could not defeat him (John 19:11).

Fourth, we see Jonathan encouraging David as his faithful and constant friend. True friends find ways to meet each other. David likely set a place and time for this meeting, and Jonathan kept the appointment even though it put him at risk with his father. If Saul had learned of it, Jonathan might have lost his life. True friendship is not afraid of danger, and it can also stoop low, even leaving a palace for a forest to help a friend.

Just seeing Jonathan would have lifted David’s spirits. But Jonathan also said words that greatly encouraged him. As a godly friend, he pointed David to God, the true foundation of hope and comfort. He “strengthened his hand in God.” David, though a strong believer, still needed his friends to help complete what was lacking in his faith. Jonathan did this by reminding him of God’s promise, the holy oil with which David had been anointed, God’s presence with him so far, and the many times God had already shown him kindness.

In this way, Jonathan strengthened David for action by encouraging his heart, not in created things, but in God. Jonathan could not do anything by his own power to secure David, but he could assure him that God would. As a selfless friend, Jonathan rejoiced in the prospect of David’s rise to the honor that was his own birthright (1 Samuel 23:17). He was saying, in effect, “You will live to be king, and I will count it enough to be next to you, even under you, and I will never claim to be your rival.”

This surrender of his own claim would have been a great comfort to David and would have made his path much clearer. Jonathan also told David that Saul knew this very well, because Jonathan had heard Saul say as much at times. This shows how wicked Saul was, persecuting the man God favored, and how foolish he was, trying to stop what God had already planned and what would surely happen. How could he undo what God had determined?

As a steady friend, Jonathan renewed his covenant with David for the third time, before the Lord, calling God to witness it (1 Samuel 23:18). True love enjoys repeating its promises and giving fresh assurance of friendship. In the same way, our covenant with God should often be renewed, and our fellowship with him kept alive. David and Jonathan then parted, and, as far as we are told, never met again in this world. Jonathan had spoken what he wished, not what he had any real reason to expect, when he hoped to be next to David in his kingdom.