One of the greatest stories in
the Bible is that of the friendship between David and Jonathan. They were more than co-workers, Army buddies,
or neighbors. They had a genuine bond
that was grounded in FACT – Feelings, Action, Commitment, and Trust. Let’s look
at some key points in their friendship to see what made it so special and how
we can apply these to our lives.
1 Samuel 18:1-4
As soon as David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of
Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own
soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return
to his father's house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant
with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself
of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his
sword and his bow and his belt.
Things to think about:
· Jonathan was the son of King Saul, David was a
poor shepherd boy.
· Jonathan
instantly recognized David’s character and courage. He was drawn to him and
befriended this lowly pauper.
o
FACT – Sometimes as men we struggle to recognize or say that we
love another man. In our culture it sounds weird and yet Jonathan did not have
any reservations for his feelings for David.
o
FACT – they made a covenant to always be true with one another
o
FACT – Jonathan gave David symbols of his princely credentials.
Notice how many of these can be found in the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians
6:10-18)
§ Also note how
this compares to Jesus inviting the lowly positioned (us) into His presence and
bequeathing unto us His royal credentials and benefits
· The drama in
the story is that Jonathan’s father is intensely jealous of David
o
Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands
o
David also represents a threat to Jonathan inheriting the kingdom
o
FACT – in chapter 19 Saul is trying to have David killed (after
unsuccessfully hurling a spear at him!) Jonathan has the courage to standby
his commitment to David by challenging his father by speaking well of David to
him.
§ Has someone
ever defended you when it might have been unpopular to do so or come at some
personal cost to them? Or have you had a
chance to be that person?
· In chapter
20, things really start spiraling out of control and David is on the run. He and Jonathan meet and Jonathan assures him
that he will tell David whatever plans Saul is making to kill him.
o
FACT – Jonathan rises above family to do what is right.
o
FACT - Jonathan asks David
to reaffirm their commitment to one another, including “But
should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not
disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May
the Lord be
with you, as he has been with my father. If I am
still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and to not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when
the Lord cuts off every one
of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
§ Jonathan
seemed to know that he would not outlive David and that David would one day be
king. Therefore, he seeks David’s
commitment to look after his family after he is gone.
§ Have you ever
had the chance to “show the steadfast love of the LORD” by helping out a
friend’s family maybe due to an illness, death, lack of finances, or maybe just
not knowing what to do in a certain circumstance?
o
FACT – Then they kissed each other and wept together – but David
wept the most
§ Are you a
crier? Has this changed as you have
gotten older?
o
The story continues with the chasing and David having two chances
to kill Saul but he refrains.
o
Finally, Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle and David learns
of the very sad news. David mourns
deeply for his lost friend.
§ Have you had
a very close friend pass? What feelings
welled up in you at such a time?
o
It seems the story of Jonathan and David has come to an end – but
not quite! Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was five years old when
Jonathan died. Some years later,
probably at least 15 years, David makes an inquiry to know if anyone from the
house of Saul is still alive and he learns that the little boy is
now a father, living in poverty and obscurity.
He is also handicapped having injured both his feet during a long
journey escaping from enemy pursuers.
§ 2 Samuel
9:6-10 we read “Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul,
came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said,
“Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you
kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all
the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you
should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All
that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's
grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for
him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread
to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my
table.”
o
FACT -Wow, what an amazing postscript to this great story of
friendship. David, perhaps belatedly,
remembered his covenant with Jonathan. He had the opportunity to now share the riches
of his royalty with the pauper whose grandfather was a king.
§ Is there an
old friend you can reach out to?
· If so, maybe you can let
them know the example of Jonathan and David served as motivation for you.
§ Do you have a
friend in a tough situation? A brother is born for adversity. How can you help?
§ As Jonathan
asked of David, show the kindness of the Lord to a friend. The FACT is you will be richly blessed in
return!
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