The Prince: Jonathan by Francine Rivers Read Free Book Online Page A

followed by a deep rumble that pressed upon him. And then the rain came, cold against victory-heated pride.
    Jonathan bowed his head. You are God! You are the God of Ahimaaz. You are my God and there is no other!
    Saul wailed. “The wheat is ready for harvest. The stalks will get wet. The grain will rot.”
    Jonathan raised his head and smiled at his father. “The Lord will provide.”
    Samuel turned and looked at Jonathan, and the sorrow slowly ebbed from his eyes.
    Jonathan raised his hands, palms up and felt the drops of rain hit against him—sharp, cold spears. “Wash us, Lord. Cleanse us of sin.” You are king!
    Men screamed. “Samuel! Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die! For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”
    Jonathan prayed. “Without You, we can do nothing for Your people. Command us, Lord. Let it be as it once was. Go out before us and stand at our backs.”
    Lightning flashed again. Jonathan shuddered and dropped to his knees. He bowed his face to the ground, rain drenching him. “Lord, forgive us.”
    “Don’t be afraid!” Samuel called out in a loud voice. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on Him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon His people, because that would dishonor His great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you His very own people.”
    Jonathan wept. He met Samuel’s gaze, filled with compassion and tenderness.
    “As for me—” Samuel spread his hands and looked at Saul and then at the multitude—“I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you!”
    Jonathan came to his feet, remembering all he had copied. God had delivered them from Egypt, given them land to till and plant, children. You created us, Lord. You gave us life and breath.
    The rain softened, refreshingly cool against his face.
    Samuel gazed out over the nation. “But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.”
    I am Saul’s son, Lord, but I want to be Your man. I want a heart like Samuel’s. Undivided. Devoted to You. Lord, Lord, make it so .

    Saul chose three thousand of the best warriors and sent the rest of the army home. Jonathan wondered why. “Aren’t we going to attack the Philistine outposts?”
    “I have no quarrel with the Philistines.”
    No quarrel? “But Father, they’ve oppressed us for years.”
    “We have two swords between us and no blacksmiths. That’s reason enough not to start a war with them.”
    Had his father so quickly forgotten the lesson of Jabesh-gilead? “God is our strength!”
    “Winning one battle against the Ammonites does not mean we can win a war against the Philistines.”
    “But the Lord gave us victory over Nahash. We need not return home, tails tucked between our knees.”
    Abner grasped Jonathan’s shoulder, fingers biting in warning. “We will discuss all this as we travel south.”
    The army camped at Micmash. The king had no plans to attack the Philistine outpost at Geba, even though it was close enough to threaten Gibeah. Jonathan listened at the military counsel meetings, but heard nothing that would solve the threat to his father’s reign if the warriors at Geba moved against Gibeah.
    So he spoke again. “It is not wise to have enemies so close to our home. Saul is king of Israel, and Gibeah is now center of the nation. What is to stop the Philistines from attacking my father?”
    Saul looked at Abner and then at the others for an answer. When they gave none, he shrugged. “I will remain here in Micmash until we see how the Philistines take the news of Nahash’s defeat.”
    What had happened to his father’s boldness? Where was