No matter what...

And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David's enemies.” And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.” (1 Samuel 20:12-23 ESV) David was upset. Despite promises to the contrary, Saul was still out to kill him. Worse yet, how could Jonathan, who had pledged his support for David, sit idly by while his father did this. Jonathan was totally unaware, and when he did become aware, he came up with a plan to test his father. He took care of the immediate problem, but looked far beyond that, to the worst-case scenario: if the rift was as bad as David s aid. where the two houses would be against one another, Jonathan's loyalties were still with David. He was going to remain faithful to their covenant, no matter what, and he hoped David would do the same. In life's most important relationships: in the family and the fellowship of faith, do you have such convictions? No Matter What.