Jonathan, pleads for the life of his descendants when David takes the throne (24:21). As noted earlier, in the ancient world when one dynasty replaced another it was standard practice to destroy anyone who might have a claim to the throne. Though he owed nothing to the king by way of friendship or loyalty, David accedes to the request and so swears (24:22). At this Saul returned home, but David and his men stayed in the desert as fugitives. Despite Saul’s acknowledgment of David’s future regency,