He was Israel’s beloved champion. Not only had he saved the kingdom, but the lives of Hassar Jonathan and King Shaul as well. Even so, Shaul took away his freedom . . . and then gave him the general’s mantle. A bittersweet reward indeed for Yahweh’s chosen one.

But he wasn’t ready yet to lead the armies of Israel—or to accept his true status as Mashiah. He needed time—and the hassar’s relentless training. Roeh Shamuel’s steady guidance calmed his fears: “If you are to fulfill Yahweh’s task, you must accept the place He has for you and conduct yourself in such a manner as to bring honor to the One who gave it to you.”

And so, despite Abner’s blatant contempt and Shaul’s persistent censure, regardless of his own failure or triumph in battle, he chose unswerving loyalty to Yahweh. No one would ever fully understand the consequences of such devotion.

No one but Jonathan.