Jonathan appears to have recognized that David was the king-in-waiting and that the Lord was with him. He was confident that all of David’s enemies would be destroyed and that he would one day rule over Israel as king.1 In light of this reality, he asked that David would show kindness to him and his family or descendants. Normally, it was the practice of new kings to get rid of all potential rivals by killing the family of the previous monarch (see 1 Kings 15:27–30; 1 Kings 16:8–13; 2 Kings 10:1–11).2 Jonathan wanted a promise from David that he would not do this.
14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die;