And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should slay David.
Saul had worked against David in hidden ways before. Now he says it out loud. He orders his own son and all his servants to kill him. One sentence holds two hearts: a king who wants David dead, and a son who delights in him.
The scheming now becomes an open plot. Jonathan answers it by arguing David's case:
In the previous chapter Saul had used roundabout ways to rid himself of the Lord's anointed; here he sets up a real conspiracy against him: "Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David." Jonathan preaches grace to his father by setting before him what David was, what David had done for him at the risk of his own life, and by reminding him that he himself, Saul, had at first rejoiced when he saw these things.
The word "but" in the middle of the verse is the turn. One writer traces both sides of it back to their sources:
First there was corruption, then violence — equally useless. Saul was now bold enough to tell Jonathan and all the rest "that they should kill David." The liar and murderer was at his usual work. "But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David." In such a sad picture of king Saul, is it not refreshing to see this? The Holy Spirit worked everything that was of God at that time, and afterwards sketched the history for us. He has also shown us that God does not leave Himself without witness of His grace. He who pulls back the veil from Saul's most secret wickedness lets us see the devotion of Jonathan. He tells the story of what God works in love, and what Satan works in murderous hatred and pride. Jonathan then only clings to David the more because of his father's hostility.
The order came from a father and a king. What holds Jonathan back is not feeling, but what he knows about David:
The love will soon be tested and will prove true. "And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David." Will the son obey his father's command? He knew David "in the Lord," that is, on the ground of a "most holy faith," and "strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Nothing could make him lift a hand against one who was his closest friend and the Lord's anointed. He would serve him, whatever it cost; but murder him! The very thought was disgusting to him.
Father and son share a house and a name. One man divides them, and one writer sees in that split the choice every person faces:
The contrast between Saul's attitude to David and Jonathan's was very great. The poor jealous king was now often troubled by an evil spirit. He hated David and wanted to destroy him. He even told Jonathan, as well as his servants, to kill David. Jonathan, for his part, "delighted much in David." This was the rock on which father and son split, and the break could not be undone. In the same way today every person's eternal destiny is settled by the attitude of his soul toward the Son of God.
Jonathan's delight was real. But one writer points to the one thing it lacked:
Jonathan should have gone out to David. If he had, he would have suffered loss and shame from Saul, but he would have had David's company, and later high honour in David's kingdom. He did well in delighting much in David. He was right to speak about David to his father Saul. But he lacked one thing. He drew back from the path of separation with David. He was not with David in the mountains and woods of his rejection. Perhaps he thought he could "do more good," as people say, by staying in Saul's house.
- Open hatred. Saul moves from hidden schemes to a spoken order to kill. Jonathan answers by reminding his father of David's service and of his own earlier joy.
- Preserved delight. Satan works murderous hatred in this verse. God works in love in the same verse, and leaves Himself a witness — Jonathan's delight in David.
- Tested delight. A father's command could not move Jonathan. He knew David as the Lord's anointed. He would serve him at any cost, but never harm him.
- Dividing delight. David is the rock on which father and son split. Every person's destiny turns the same way — on his attitude toward the Son of God.
- Incomplete delight. Jonathan delighted in David and spoke well of him, yet stayed in Saul's house. Delight that will not follow the rejected one misses his company and his kingdom.
But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeks to kill thee; and now, I pray thee, take heed to thyself in the morning, and abide in a secret place and hide thyself;
Saul has just ordered his son and his servants to kill David. The next line turns to Jonathan. Two hearts face the same man: one wants him dead, the other sends a warning and tells him where to hide.
One writer sets Saul's hatred beside Jonathan's delight, and finds there the question that decides every person's destiny.
The contrast between Saul's attitude to David and Jonathan's was very great. The poor jealous king, now often troubled by an evil spirit, hated him and would destroy him… Jonathan, for his part, "delighted much in David." This was the rock on which father and son split, and the break was final. In the same way today, the attitude of a person's soul towards the Son of God settles his eternal destiny. "What do you think of Christ?" is the great question that will either make or break everyone who hears it.
One writer sees the two men as pictures of two kinds of people in Israel, and sees love serving David against his own father.
To my mind, Jonathan, Saul's son, shows us those in whom the Spirit of Christ will work in Israel. Saul pictures that part of Israel which goes deeper and deeper into dark evil, because it does not value Christ. In the end the devil has full power over it… Here was a loving heart that wanted to give David this needed service. He gave it even though his own father was the one involved — a father who, sad to say, now showed open murderous malice.
Another writer reads the same moment as a test that Jonathan's love passed:
That love will soon meet the test, and it will prove true… Will the son obey his father's command? He knew David "in the Lord" — that is, on the ground of a "most holy faith"… Nothing could persuade him to lift his hand against his close friend, the Lord's anointed. He would serve him, whatever it cost; but murder him! The very thought was hateful to him.
Jonathan tells David to take care and hide. One writer sees God's kindness in giving him such a friend, and God's purpose in the hiding itself.
God's ways with His people are touching and gracious! He may see that His servant must learn, through a bitter process, the evil of keeping company with the world, and that he must separate from it. At the same time He provides him with a devoted heart he could fully trust. David had one green spot, one sheltered place. Like a guardian angel it kept him safe from the scheming of malice and all unkindness. The One whom David pictured knew little of such a resource on earth, though no one valued it more than He… When we sink so low that we must "stay in a secret place" and hide, we do not only prove that God is our resource; we settle it for ourselves. When better days return, the soul can compare the rest it had when it seemed to have nothing with the rest it has when natural resources are plentiful. If we are faithful, we value the natural less and less beside the divine. However hard we try, we can never find in the lower resource the rest we have in the higher.
Jonathan does not only warn; he promises to stand next to his father and speak about David. One writer hears a model for Christian witness in that plea, while noting how far the greater Son went beyond David.
Jonathan was willing to speak up for David… In these words we can almost hear the Christian speaking up for his Saviour and Lord. The hated one's words and works had been very good, and his hand had worked a great salvation for Israel. Who dares to accuse the words or the works of the Son of God? Who can deny that He has worked "such a great salvation" for His people? David "put his life in his hand"; our blessed Lord went immeasurably further, for He laid down His life for the sheep.
One writer admires Jonathan's love, then points to where it stopped.
Saul hates him, but Jonathan delights much in him. How precious! And he tries to save his life… And here is just where Jonathan, with all his love and delight in David, fails. He does not follow David, but stays in the house of Saul, where "David's place was empty." He refused to share David's rejection, and he suffered loss for it: he died on the mountains of Gilboa, among the enemies of the man he loved.
- Delight divides. Saul hated David and Jonathan delighted in him. The same man split father from son, and the Son of God still splits people today.
- Delight speaks. Jonathan told David the truth. He would not obey his father, because he knew David as the Lord's anointed.
- Delight shelters. The warning sent David into a secret place. There he proved for himself that God was his resource.
- Delight defends. Jonathan spoke up for David. In him we hear a believer speaking up for his Saviour — the One who laid down His life.
- Delight must follow. Jonathan delighted, warned and defended — yet he stayed in Saul's house. Love that will not share the rejection stops short.
and I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and will speak of thee with my father and see what it is, and tell thee.
Saul has now said openly what he had only schemed at before: David must die. Jonathan answers with a plan in three parts: David is to hide, Jonathan will plead his case face to face, and Jonathan will report back what he learns.
The chapter opens with a father and a son taking opposite sides about the same person. One writer sees that split as the pattern for every age since.
The contrast between the attitude of Saul and Jonathan towards David was very great. The poor jealous king was now often troubled by an evil spirit. He hated David and wanted to destroy him. He even told Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Jonathan, for his part, "delighted much in David." This was the rock on which father and son split, and the division could not be undone. In the same way today, the attitude of a person's soul towards the Son of God settles his eternal destiny. "What do you think of Christ?" is the great question. It will either make or break every person to whom it is put.
Jonathan's plan protects David's life before it argues David's case.
Jonathan truly loved David and warned him of Saul's intentions. Still, Jonathan thought he could reason with Saul and persuade him that David was not an enemy, but a true friend. He told David to stay hidden from Saul, while he himself pleaded for him with his father. Then Jonathan "spoke well of David to Saul his father" (v. 4). How fitting it is if we today will speak well of the Lord Jesus before others who oppose Him!
Jonathan does not send a message. He puts himself at the side of the man who is hunting David.
Jonathan, Saul's son, seems to me to picture those in whom the Spirit of Christ will work in Israel. Saul pictures the part of Israel that goes deeper and deeper into dark evil, because it does not value Christ. In the end it falls right under the power of the devil... Here was a loving heart, eager to do this needed service for David. Yet the man in question was his own father, who sadly showed murderous hatred.
Jonathan sets out David's worth and Saul's own past joy in it.
Jonathan preaches grace to his father. He sets before him what David was, and what David had done for him at the risk of his own life. He also reminds Saul that he himself had rejoiced at first when he saw these things: "You saw it, and rejoiced." David's activity was far above anything Jonathan could do for him, and Jonathan knew it, even though he loved David as his own soul.
The same writer weighs what Saul's promise was worth.
Saul listens to Jonathan and swears, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death." God sets grace before the heart of the natural man, and this halts the growth of his wickedness for a moment. But this is not conversion. Saul's plan to murder David changes, yet he does not repent.
Jonathan promises to report back whatever he sees. Speaking up for a hated man draws fire.
Follow Christ fully. What will be the result? "Javelins." If we make much of Christ, Satan must oppose... Yes, David risked his life, but Jesus laid down His for us. We have every reason to "speak well" of Him. But if we do, what then? Look out for javelins. Satan cannot touch Christ, but he will touch you if he can.
One writer sees Jonathan's effort as real love aimed at the wrong target.
He could speak for David, and speak nobly and well; but he could not — or rather, did not — follow him. Yet Jonathan was not idle in David's cause, though his efforts were misdirected. He laboured to persuade Saul and his followers to receive him again, and for a moment seemed to succeed... But his father's heart had not changed, and David had to flee for his life again. It is the story of Christendom briefly retold: kind efforts by true Christians to reconcile worldly people to an acknowledgement of Christ, while their hearts are far from Him.
- Delight. Jonathan's course begins with his delight in David. That delight divided him from his father — the same question every person faces about the Son of God.
- Warn. Love acts before it argues. Jonathan hides David first, then goes to plead for him.
- Stand. Jonathan stands beside the very man who wants David dead. Love serves where serving costs most.
- Speak. His argument is pure grace: what David is, what David did at the risk of his life, and how Saul himself once rejoiced in it.
- Limit. The plea wins a pause, not a changed heart. Commentators differ on it: is Jonathan's pleading a model for speaking well of Christ, or love aimed at the wrong target?
And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against thee; for also what he did was very advantageous to thee;
Saul has just ordered his son and his servants to kill David. Jonathan answers with words alone: can words change a hard heart, and what will they cost him?
Jonathan warns his father that killing David would be the king's own sin. Then he argues the case in two halves, one negative and one positive.
Jonathan loved David and warned him of Saul's intentions. He advised David to remain hidden from Saul, while Jonathan interceded for him with his father… He speaks of the negative fact that David had in no way harmed Saul. Then he speaks of the positive fact that David's works had been very good. This included venturing his life against Goliath, which had caused Saul and all Israel to rejoice.
The plea also reaches back to what Saul himself once felt:
Jonathan preaches grace to his father by presenting to him what David was, what David had done for him at the risk of his own life, and by reminding him that he himself, Saul, had at first rejoiced after he had witnessed these things: "You saw it, and rejoiced." How far superior David's activity was to all that Jonathan could do for him! Jonathan knew this, even though he loved David as his own soul.
David is in hiding. He cannot defend himself, so Jonathan defends him. Writers hear in this a picture of speaking up for Christ where He is unwelcome.
Jonathan was willing to speak up for David. His protest as given in 1 Samuel 19:4-5 is deeply touching… In these words we can almost hear the Christian speaking up for his Saviour and Lord. The hated one's words and works had been very good, and his hand had worked a great salvation for Israel. Who dares to accuse the words or works of the Son of God? Who can deny that He has worked for His people "so great salvation"? (Heb. 2:3). David "put his life in his hand"; our blessed Lord went immeasurably further, for He laid down His life for the sheep.
The same reading turns the verse into a direct question for the reader:
And as Jonathan spoke good of David, oh can we not speak good of Jesus? Has He not worked a great salvation? Apart from Jesus, is there anything truly great or good? Has any other one glorified God about sin, as He has on the cross?
The plea works. Saul swears David will live. Yet writers weigh what that promise was worth.
By presenting grace to the heart of the natural man, God allows his wickedness to be stopped for a moment. But this is not conversion. Saul's murderous intention changes, yet he does not repent. He takes back his decision and makes a new resolution when faced with the appeals of a man of faith. But the resolution is barely made before he shows himself in no way free from his impulses. His behaviour proves that he is a miserable slave of Satan.
Jonathan's strongest point — "you saw it, and rejoiced" — exposes Saul instead of curing him:
But it was a mere passing emotion; not a trace of divine feeling had any place in his soul. Rocky ground hearers are very emotional. They seem full of divine joy while the wonders of divine grace are set out. But it passes quickly, like the dew before the sun (Matt. 13:20-21).
Defending a hated man draws the hatred onto the defender.
Three times he had tried to kill David. But when David is out of sight, Saul tries to kill Jonathan, who stood up for him. That is just like the Christian; when Christ is out of sight, he has to stand up for his Lord, and is persecuted.
Much in Jonathan is worth copying. Yet writers note the line he never crossed.
We may well marvel at his simple-hearted admiration of David, his great love for David, his delighting much in David, his speaking well of David, and his effort to ensure the safety of David. In much of this we might well copy him. But how very sad is the failure: with so much that is praiseworthy, he was held back from that complete devotion that would share all the dangers and hardships in the outside place.
- Love speaks. Jonathan loved David, so he warned him and then argued his case to the man who wanted him dead.
- Speak facts. David had done Saul no harm. He had risked his life and won a great salvation for Israel.
- Speak good of Christ. Writers read the scene as a picture of confessing Jesus where He is opposed. His words and works were good. He went further than David: He laid down His life.
- Speech may not convert. Saul swore David would live. Writers agree this was not repentance. His old joy over Goliath was passing emotion.
- Speaking costs. Saul later threw a javelin at Jonathan for defending David. And Jonathan, for all his love, never joined David in the place of rejection.
for he put his life in hand, and smote the Philistine, and Jehovah wrought a great salvation for all Israel thou didst see [it], and didst rejoice; why then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, in slaying David without cause?
Saul had ordered his son and his servants to kill David, and Jonathan answers with an argument: a record of what David had already done for the king. Two questions follow: what made David innocent, and why did so strong a case fail to hold Saul?
Jonathan builds his defence in two halves, and one writer sets out how the reasoning runs and where it lands for us:
Jonathan however, positively loved David and warned him of Saul's intentions. Still, Jonathan thought he could reason with Saul and persuade him that David was not an enemy, but a true friend... Then Jonathan "spoke good of David to Saul his father." How appropriate it is if we today will speak good of the Lord Jesus before others who oppose Him! He speaks of the negative fact that David had in no way harmed Saul, then of the positive fact that David's works had been very good, including venturing his life against Goliath, which had caused Saul and all Israel to rejoice.
Jonathan's words say that David risked his life. One writer sets Christ beside that risk:
When speaking of David to Saul his father, Jonathan says, "he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine." Jesus did more than that. He laid down His life to save me, and He has done it. Christ, the Son of God, has not only risked His life for you and me, but He has laid it down, everlasting praise to His blessed name!
The Lord worked this salvation through David, and it reached the whole nation. One writer sets the works of the Son of God beside it:
The hated one's words and works had been very good, and a great salvation had been worked for Israel by his hand. Who dares find fault with the words or the works of the Son of God? And who can deny that He has worked "such a great salvation" for His people? (Heb. 2:3).
Jonathan reminds Saul that he once rejoiced over the very victory he now resents. One writer treats that gladness as a warning about feelings that never take root:
Jonathan reminded his father that at the moment of David's victory over Goliath — "you saw it, and rejoiced." But it was only a passing emotion. Not a trace of divine feeling found any place in his soul. Hearers who are like rocky ground are very emotional. They seem full of divine joy while the wonders of divine grace are set out. But it soon passes, like dew before the sun (Matt. 13:20-21).
To kill David would be to shed blood that has no charge against it. Saul listens to Jonathan and swears that David will not be put to death. One writer weighs that change of mind:
So it is not that Saul's heart never softened — it did soften from time to time. But he was no longer in any way master of his own movements. He was only a slave of Satan, little as he realized it himself.
Jonathan won his case, and the result was that David went back into Saul's house. Commentators differ here. Grant commends Jonathan for speaking good of David. Another writer sees a loving heart smoothing over a difference God had made:
But what Jonathan's heart was set on did not run with God's purpose about David. If it had, it would have drawn him out of Saul's house. Left to its own aims, it would bring David back to the house of Saul — and that is what it did... A loving, kindly spirit tends to smooth the way. It draws together people whom God intends to walk in completely different paths.
- Risk. David took his life in his hand and struck down the Philistine; Christ went further and laid His life down.
- Salvation. The Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel through David. No one can find fault with those works, or with the works of the Son of God.
- Speaking good. Jonathan's method is the model. Say what the hated man has not done wrong, then what he has done well. Speak that way of Christ before those who oppose Him.
- Rejoicing that faded. Saul once cheered the victory he now resents. Emotion without root passes like dew in the sun.
- Not enough. The plea won an oath, but it sent David back into Saul's house. Good feeling can smooth over a difference God Himself has made.
And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, [As] Jehovah liveth, he shall not be put to death!
Jonathan has just argued David's case before his father. This verse records the effect: Saul listens, and swears in the Lord's name that David will live. The question the commentators press is what such an oath is worth when it comes from a heart that has not changed.
The verse turns on Saul heeding "the voice of Jonathan." One writer sums up what that voice set before him:
In the previous chapter Saul had used roundabout ways to rid himself of the Lord's anointed. Here he sets up a real conspiracy against him: "Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill David." Jonathan preaches grace to his father. He sets before him what David was, and what David had done for him at the risk of his own life. He also reminds him that Saul himself had rejoiced at first when he saw these things: "You saw it, and rejoiced."
Another writer adds that Jonathan named both sides of the case — the harm David had not done, and the good he had done:
Then Jonathan "spoke well of David to Saul his father" (v.4). How fitting it is if we today will speak good of the Lord Jesus before others who oppose Him! He speaks of the negative fact: David had in no way harmed Saul. Then he speaks of the positive fact: David's works had been very good. David had risked his life against Goliath, and that had caused Saul and all Israel to rejoice.
Saul drops his plan for murder. The change is real, but this writer refuses to call it repentance:
Saul listens to Jonathan and swears: "As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death!" (v. 6). By presenting grace to the heart of the natural man, God allows a brief halt in the growth of his wickedness. But this is not conversion. Saul's murderous intention is changed, yet he does not repent. He takes back his decision. Faced with the urging of a man of faith, he makes a new resolution. But the resolution is hardly made before he shows he is in no way free from his impulses. His behaviour proves that he is a miserable slave of Satan.
Saul swears in the Lord's name. One writer weighs that oath in a single word:
Then Jonathan persuades his father to stop. Saul uttered a meaningless oath: "As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death." And Jonathan brought David to Saul.
Yet the softening was real. Another writer holds both sides together:
It is not that Saul's heart never softened. Indeed it did soften from time to time. But he was no longer in any way master of his own movements. He was only a slave of Satan, little as he realised it himself.
The chapter itself supplies the test. Within a few verses the javelin is in Saul's hand again:
Now we shall have to trace what follows. Every effort to escape the slavery of the devil only proves that the devil is the stronger of the two. Flesh in the highest place only brings a man under the power of the enemy more surely and more quickly. So, despite his oath and Jonathan's acting on it, "Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before."
David goes back to his old place at court. One writer notes how he would have lived there:
Jonathan's reasoning is of course plain and right, and on this occasion it has a good effect on Saul. Jonathan therefore brings David back again to his former position in Saul's company. We may be sure that David would be constantly on his guard at this time. Experience would teach him to be cautious.
- Plea. Saul listened because Jonathan set David's innocence and David's service in front of him. Jonathan also reminded him that he had once rejoiced over the very man he now wanted dead.
- Pause. Grace pressed on an unchanged heart can halt wickedness for a moment. One writer is clear: that halt is not conversion.
- Promise. Saul swore by the Lord's own name, yet one writer calls the oath meaningless. The softening was real feeling. But Saul was no longer master of his own movements.
- Proof. Saul's oath did not set him free. Every effort to escape this slavery only proves the enemy is the stronger of the two.
- Practice. Like Jonathan, speak well of the Lord Jesus before those who oppose Him. Like David, go back to your place and stay on your guard.
Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan declared to him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as previously.
Jonathan has pleaded for his friend, and Saul has backed down. This verse records the result. Jonathan brings David back, and David serves in the king's court just as he did before. But how much was that peace worth? Had Saul changed, or only paused?
Saul wanted Jonathan's help against David. One writer traces what Jonathan did instead, and where it left David.
Saul's hatred grows, and now he tries to enlist Jonathan, along with his other servants, against David. But Jonathan had already given his allegiance to David, and nothing could make him lift his hand against him. For the time, this checks Saul's persecution. Jonathan gets his chance to speak well of David. He recalls David's glorious victory. He reminds the king how the king himself rejoiced at that time. He appeals to his sense of honour, if nothing else. Saul listens for the time and promises to spare David, who now returns to his old work in the king's house.
What Jonathan said, and how he said it, carries over to us.
Then Jonathan "spoke good of David to Saul his father" (v.4). How appropriate it is if we today will speak good of the Lord Jesus before others who oppose Him! He speaks of the negative fact that David had in no way harmed Saul, then of the positive fact that David's works had been very good.
Saul took back his decision. Commentators are careful about what that proves.
When God presents grace to the heart of the natural man, He lets that man's wickedness be halted for a moment as it grows. But this is not conversion. Saul's murderous intention changes, yet he still does not repent. He takes back his decision. He makes a new resolve when a man of faith urges him. But no sooner is the resolve made than he shows he is in no way free from his impulses. His behaviour proves that he is a miserable slave of Satan.
The softer feeling was genuine as far as it went. What Saul lacked was the power to hold to it.
So it is not that we find no softening of heart in Saul. We do find it from time to time. But he was no longer master of his own movements in any way. He was only a slave of Satan, little as he realised it himself.
The peace of verse 7 did not last. One writer marks how short it was.
For a brief moment (19:7) David had respite. Not for long; the evil spirit again dominates the miserable king. David seeks shelter from the king's fury in his own home, but as quickly leaves it; for even there the hate of Saul would reach him.
Commentators differ here. Some read Jonathan's mediation as God's kindness to a hunted man:
God's ways with His people are touching and gracious! … Jonathan warns David, speaks to his father for him, and Saul relents, and "he was in his presence as before."
Others see love pulling David back onto a path God had not set for him.
Within their own range and purpose, Jonathan's desires would bring David back to the house of Saul, and in fact they did. "He was in his presence as before." The kindness of a loving spirit tends to smooth the way. It draws people together whom God has set on entirely different paths. … Few dangers are like this. Jonathan had faith, but it was a faith that in practice brought David back into its own circumstances, where the evil spirit from the Lord was.
Both writers agree on what came next: the calm broke, and Saul's hatred found David again.
Saul swung between rage and relenting. David did not swing at all.
As for David, he does not change. "He was in his presence as before" (v. 7). The grace that has led him until now still marks his person and his behaviour.
- Plea — Jonathan spoke well of David on two grounds: David had done Saul no harm, and his works had been very good. We have the same two grounds when we speak well of Christ to people set against Him.
- Promise — Saul's promise changed his words, not his heart. Grace can halt wickedness for a moment in the natural man without producing repentance.
- Prison — Saul's heart really did soften at times. Yet he was "no longer master of his own movements." Good resolutions do not free a slave.
- Pause — Verse 7 is a brief rest, not a settled peace. Saul's hatred soon reached David even at home.
- Permanence — David does not change. Saul's behaviour swings with his moods. The grace that shaped David holds steady.