And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” (I Samuel 23:17 ESV)
Compare Jonathan and Saul. Both men could see what God was doing regarding David. Both men could see that David was a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) Both men knew that Saul’s kingship was over, and David’s kingship was coming.
But Jonathan and Saul reacted in different ways. Saul saw God’s favor on David and acted like Cain. Jonathan saw God’s favor on David and acted like… well, like Jonathan.
Jonathan discerned what God was up to and got in line with Him. Jonathan’s acceptance of God’s Willwas costly to Jonathan. Jonathan’s acceptance of God’s Will caused humiliation to Jonathan. Jonathan’s acceptance of God’s Will could have resulted in a rift with Jonathan’s beloved best friend.
But instead, by accepting God’s Will, Jonathan found peace, hope for Israel, love with David, and rejection of fear.
Not only for himself… but he was able to help David get rid of fear.
When Jonathan tells David to not fear, Jonathan is really telling David that God’s Will is strong, good, exciting, and worth clinging to.
It is for us, too.
Fear not, because of God’s Will.