The friendship of Jonathan and David, as portrayed in the pages of the Bible, is truly an inspiring and intriguing story. A war is brewing between the Philistines and the Israelites. The Philistines flaunt their superiority, as the giant, Goliath, appears on the battleground. For "forty days" (I Samuel 17:16), Jonathan, a commander in the army of Israel, hears this foreign, colossal champion taunt his fellow soldiers and his father the king.
Then, David, a young shepherd, innocently arrives on the scene to aid his brothers and volunteers to "fight with this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:32). What an unexpected, tenacious proposition! Skeptical defiance and sarcasm follow. But by fighting "in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" (17:45), David heroically defeats Goliath. Jonathan is impressed with David's integrity and impulse. Soon after, Jonathan's father, Saul, inquires specific information concerning this young man. Jonathan hears and is drawn to this dynamic character. Immediately, his soul was "knit" to the soul of David (1 Samuel 18:1).
Jonathan invests in a friendship with David. His intentions are quite clear. These two new comrades make "a covenant" – a binding pact (1 Samuel 18:3). Jonathan offered David his "robe… with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt" (1 Samuel 18:4). This significant gesture indicates his foreknowledge that something fantastic is going to unfold in the future because of David's fervent faith. He removed his royal regalia and gave the garments to David recognizing God's divine plan to promote him as king. Jonathan would forfeit his future for the fate of this new friend!
Because of his miraculous defeat of Goliath, David now becomes one of Saul's loyal men and "behaves himself very wisely" (1 Samuel 18:5, 15). David's fame spreads throughout the land after slaying the giant, and his stature is immediately elevated before the people of Israel. Saul is displeased with this turn of events. He has a change of heart toward David and seeks to "snuff" out his popularity. "The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is tested by the praise accorded him" (Proverbs 27:21). But Jonathan "greatly delighted in David" (1 Samuel 19:2). Therefore, he "spoke well of David" and becomes mediator between his father and his friend (19:4-5).
On a number of occasions, Jonathan intercedes on behalf of his friend, David. Eventually, he will protect David from Saul, for he would become privy to his father's plans. "A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Jonathan's loyalty to David incensed his father. As long as David is alive, Jonathan's dynasty would be in jeopardy!
Yet Jonathan and David were "glued together" as one soul. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18). Both men were chivalrous. "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another (Romans 13:8). Jonathan submitted to the will of God not only for himself but also for David. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor" (Romans 12:10).
|
