6. How did Jonathan’s loyal love come to David’s rescue?

⁶ Saul became jealous of David’s fame as a warrior and sought to kill him, but Jonathan’s loyal love came to the rescue! The account reads: “As for Jonathan, Saul’s son, he took great delight in David. So Jonathan told David, saying: ‘Saul my father is seeking to have you put to death. And now be on your guard, please, in the morning, and you must dwell in secrecy and keep yourself hidden.’” On that occasion, Jonathan placated Saul, so that David was spared. But David’s further successes in “fighting against the Philistines and striking them down with a great slaughter” reawakened Saul’s animosity. Again he determined to kill David, so that David fled.​—1 Samuel 19:2-10.

8. Why did Jonathan and David meet secretly in a field, and what took place on that occasion?

⁸ King Saul became adamant in his resolve to kill David. Why, Saul even hurled a spear at his own son Jonathan when this one spoke up in behalf of David! So Jonathan met David secretly in a field. “As for David, . . . he fell on his face to the earth and bowed three times; and they began kissing each other and weeping for each other, until David had done it the most. And Jonathan went on to say to David: ‘Go in peace, since we have sworn, both of us, in the name of Jehovah, saying, “May Jehovah himself prove to be between me and you and between my offspring and your offspring to time indefinite.”’” So they parted, and David became a fugitive in the wilderness of Ziph.​—1 Samuel 20:41, 42.

9, 10. (a) How did Jonathan further encourage David at what was probably the last meeting between the two? (b) When Jonathan and Saul were slain by the Philistines, what dirge did David compose, and how did he climax it?

⁹ Lovingly, Jonathan continued to encourage David. As the record states: “Jonathan the son of Saul now rose up and went to David at Horesh, that he might strengthen his hand in regard to God. And he went on to say to him: ‘Do not be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you yourself will be king over Israel, and I myself shall become second to you; and Saul my father also has knowledge to that effect.’ Then the two of them concluded a covenant before Jehovah.”​—1 Samuel 23:15-18.