The people had faithfully followed Saul all day long. They had heard him giving the most unreasonable commands, yet they obeyed. They had seen him hold out for minute ceremonial restrictions, but they yielded. They had seen him smart under the silence of the Urim and the Thummim, yet they consented to the casting of lots. They had seen the lot fall on Jonathan, when they knew him to be innocent. Then they remembered the mighty deeds of the hero of the day, and how God had given them the victory through his bravery and faith. The same God who had impressed Jonathan to make his famous exploit, now inspired the army to cry out as one man, “There shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground.”

Jonathan had a most difficult role yet to fill, and until his work was done none could touch him. Regardless of how he was treated, he was loyal to his father. At times this loyalty led him to appease his father’s impulsiveness, and again to fight by his side— which he did to the very last. Jonathan’s honesty, integrity, and faith were attributes sorely needed in this hour of Israel’s history. Even Saul could not break through the bounds set by the Holy Spirit.