1 Sam 19:1-2 Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you.

Back in 2006 Denzel Washington stared in a thrilling movie about a bank heist. The plot of this movie revolved around the incredible and somewhat noble plan to conduct a bank robbery. The key to this heist was that someone on the “inside” who was very familiar with the bank, its operations and its contents, was the key member of the team planning the robbery. Now what does this movie have to do with this scripture?? Absolutely Nothing, it was just the perfect title for this message, and I owed it to you, to let you know where I got it.

In the text we find Saul the King of Israel, on the war path attempting to capture one of his newest valets, David (the warrior that had just defeated Goliath). Saul here in this text speaking to his son Jonathan and all of his servants, informing them of his desire to kill David. Jonathan was not only his son, but his #1 military leader, next in line to become King; therefore, nobody was closer to the King than Jonathan. 

Meanwhile David was running for his life to escape the sword of Saul, but he had an inside man. Let’s look at how having somebody on the inside benefited David and how it can benefit us:1. 

1. Jonathan Knew the King’s Heart: vs Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. There is something to be said about having an Inside Man. Here Jonathan is hearing directly from the King and based on their relationship, the King will share things with him that he would not share with just anyone. Now in this case, Saul shared with all of the servants his desire to kill David, but Jonathan had also heard all the other conversations which led to this declaration. He was close enough to his father the King to be there when Saul “took to David” and would not let him return to his home anymore; as well as when the Israelites sang about David’s victories and angered Saul. Jonathan, because of his closeness to the King, knew when and why Saul’s heart towards David changed and it was because of this knowledge that he would seek to aid David. 
   
2. Jonathan Loved David: vs but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. Although Jonathan loved his father the King and stood to be the next King should something happen to Saul, Jonathan had every reason to be on board with killing David. However, he loved David; the Bible said, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (1 Sam 18:1-2).” Jonathan knew there was something different about David, he could see God’s hand on his life and even though the King desired David dead, Jonathan would not let that happen; he even took off his own Robe, Armor, Sword, Bow and belt, giving them all to David (literally the cloths off his back).
   
3. Jonathan Knew David’s Location: vs So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Once Jonathan heard what Saul was planning for David, he sought out David. Because their souls were tied, they knew one another’s every move. Jonathan went directly to David, because he knew exactly where he was, to let him know it was no longer safe for him to return. 
   
4. Jonathan Had a Strategy to Escape Death: vs Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are. Not only did he know his location, but he also knew a plan to help David escape Saul’s murder attempt. Jonathan warned David, then gave him directions to hide and watch for a signal of what to do next. Jonathan knew what the King wanted to do and where David would be, he had all the information to give David the best plan of escape, but the key to David’s safety was his trust Jonathan and believe what he said. If David didn’t listen to him, Saul might have had any of his other servants kill David. Jonathan gave David a strategy, but David had to trust & believe in it.
   
5. Jonathan Spoke to the King on David’s Behalf: vs and I will speak with my father about you. After preparing David for any potential attacks, Jonathan took his fight for David to the next level. He appealed to the King on David’s behalf. Because of everything we’ve already discussed, Jonathan knew the best way to speak to the King. He could pull on Saul’s heart strings and know exactly what aspects of David that drew him to Saul’ good graces initially. In verse 4 we see. “Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?” Think about it, the first thing he says is don’t sin against David. Why that? Well, Saul had just recently been told by Samuel that because he sinned, he would lose his entire kingdom; so that correlation would trigger an immediate self-evaluation. Secondly, he reminded Saul of David potentially sacrificing his life for King’s sake. Then he reminded Saul of the Joy the LORD brought him by using David. This appeal was well crafted and very effective because in verse 6 we see Saul’s response “So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, ”As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.”

So, I mentioned earlier that we would see how it could help us as well. I’m sure several of you have an idea of where I’m headed but ride along anyway. We all have an Inside Man. This Person knows the heart of the King very well, their relationship is so close there is no space (literally) between them. This Person Loves me and you tremendously as if we were His only Son. He knows exactly where we are all the time, whether we are at our highest heights or our lowest lows. He knows our location and just how to get to us. He has a strategy to help us escape death and He learned it directly from the King’s mouth. This Person speaks to the King on our behalf daily, hourly and every minute of the day. Our Inside Man is the Holy Spirit; He is our Comforter and Friend. He lives inside (the hearts) those of us who have believed that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and for those of us that have not yet believed, the strategy is simple: God sent Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for all of our (Mine & Yours) sin.   Because of His sacrifice we have only to believe;“Romans 10:9-11 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.“

The Inside Man is now Inside of You and He desires to help you in every area of your life.