From the beginning of time wickedness has tried hard to snuff out the purposes of God, especially those who were chosen and anointed. And for David, it was him, as he was anointed to rule Israel. He would also one day be the ancestor of promised Messiah.
“Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David” (1 Sam 19:1).
Jealousy was at the root of Saul’s hatred. David was very attractive, built, a warrior and was successful as a leader and pretty much everything he did. Saul was successful but on a much lesser scale.
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” (Prov 27:4)
But every time evil wants to prevail, there is always a miracle of God. A miracle escape, a miracle hiding of the anointed king, a miracle deliverance and more. And for David, his miracle came through his best friend, Jonathan, son of Saul.
Jonathan was torn between loyalty to his father and loyalty to his friend. What made Saul enraged is that his own son sided with David (and rightfully so). That took a lot of courage on the part of Jonathan, but he knew his father was stepping out of line. But Jonathan on several occasions saved David from his father’s wrath.
So what’s important to know? If God has a set purpose and willed something, evil will do everything to try to extinguish God’s purposes. But God will always prevail, even when it looks utterly impossible.