Jonathan’s Certainty - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

"You shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die; but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the Lord has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "Let the Lord require it at the hand of David's enemies."
1 Samuel 20:14-16

Jonathan's Certainty
When Saul comes to Naioth, David flees. However, he still holds on to the hope that he will be able to take his place again at court, and he comes back to seek advice from his friend Jonathan. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Prov. 17:17). Having been friends in happier days, David and Jonathan are now to experience how precious and comforting is their affection for each other at the time when testing comes. How much more is it so with our relationship with the supreme Friend! How can we know His perfect sympathy if we have never actually had need of it (Heb. 4:15-16)?

It seems that David is nothing more than a poor outlaw for whom the divine promises of kingship seem to have been set aside. But Jonathan's faith continues to see him as the one who undoubtedly will reign, whose enemies will be cut down, including his own father, whom he avoids mentioning by name out of a praiseworthy respect.

Notice how he speaks about the future with certainty. Thus those redeemed by the Lord Jesus recognize by faith His wonderful glory and know that their Savior, who today is hated and rejected by the world and its prince, will soon appear as the King of glory, having all His enemies beneath His feet.

J. Koechlin
Then shall we at Thine appearing, with Thee in Thy kingdom reign;Thine the praise, and Thine the glory, Lamb of God for sinners slain.

J. G. Deck