Free The Prince: Jonathan by Francine Rivers Page A

for it! Jonathan held his tongue, hoping the advisors would speak sense.
    Instead, they all agreed with the king. They said exactly what Saul wanted to hear. “We’ll do whatever you think is best. We will go after them and be the richer for it.”
    Jonathan looked at Ahijah. “Shouldn’t we inquire of the Lord?”
    The priest took a nervous step forward. “Your son shows your great wisdom, my lord. Let’s ask God first.”
    When the others agreed, Saul shrugged. “Should we go after the Philistines? Will You help us defeat them?”
    Ahijah placed his hands over the Urim and Thummin and waited for God’s answer.
    Saul stood silent.
    The men waited.
    The Lord did not answer.

    The night seemed darker to Jonathan. Even as dawn came, he felt no lifting in his spirit. The sun rose and moved slowly across the sky, and with it the echoing words of the soldiers in the woods: “Your father made the army take a strict oath . . . anyone who eats food today will be cursed.”
    Jonathan bowed his face to the ground. Lord, I took no such oath. I knew nothing about it! Am I still bound by it? Do You refuse to speak to the king because I sinned? Let it not be so. Don’t let me again be the one to bring disaster upon the people!
    When he rose, he sat back on his heels. He knew what he must do.
    Abner intercepted him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “I must speak with my father, the king.”
    “And confess about the honey?”
    “You know—”
    “Yes! I know. I know everything that happens among my men. I have to know!” He pulled Jonathan aside. “No one has said anything to the king. Nor will they.”
    “I’ve brought trouble upon him again.”
    “He made a hasty vow, Jonathan. Should that vow cost the people their prince?”
    Jonathan tried to step around him.
    Abner blocked his way, eyes flashing. “Do you think the Lord would want the death of His champion?”
    Jonathan went hot. “The Lord needs no champion!”
    Abner caught hold of Jonathan’s arm, holding him back. “What glory would the Lord receive from your death?”
    When Jonathan turned away, he saw his father watching from the entrance of his tent.
    Eyes dark, Saul came outside and shouted orders. “Something’s wrong!” He looked at Abner. “I want all my army commanders to come here.”
    The men gathered quickly and stood before him.
    Saul looked at each of them. “We must find out what sin was committed today.”
    Jonathan was afraid. Never had he seen such a look on his father’s face. The king’s eyes burned with suspicion. Does my father now see me as his enemy? He felt sick.
    “Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there.”
    Jonathan took his place at the king’s side. Would his father kill him?
    “We want a king like the nations around us!”
    Jonathan’s heart began to pound heavily. He had heard stories about the surrounding nations, how they executed their own sons to maintain their power. Some even sacrificed them on the city walls to please their gods. Sweat broke out on his face. Will my father kill me, Lord? Not my father .
    “I vow by the name of the Lord who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!”
    Jonathan received his answer, but he could not believe it. No. He cannot have changed so much. He looked at Abner, then at the others. The men all stared straight ahead, not meeting his eyes. Not a man spoke a word.
    Frustrated, Saul summoned the entire army. “Someone will tell me!” When the men were gathered, the king prayed loudly. “O Lord, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent.”
    Jonathan looked at his father. He didn’t know what to do. If he confessed now, would his father break his vow or keep it? Either way, Jonathan had put his father in an untenable position yet again. Fear shook him, for no good could come from this day!
    The priest cast lots. Men and their units were found innocent.
    Jonathan felt his