KEY VERSE
“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul… Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.”
1 SAMUEL 18:1,3
Read 1 Samuel 19:4-5
The story of David and Jonathan is a beautiful picture for us of Godly friendship and its fruits and teaches us how we can partner effectively in the gospel. God joined these two incredible men’s hearts and their friendship not only blessed them but was a massive key in advancing God’s kingdom!
David’s life had taken a terrible turn for the worse. He had quickly gone from a national hero to a national outlaw and had lost all the favour that he had once held. King Saul had slandered David and was set on destroying him. In this terrible, adverse time, Jonathan comes to David’s defence and shows us how we should love.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” It is in adverse times that true, Godly partnerships and friendships are revealed and Jonathan portrays beautifully how all true friends should act. He comes to David’s defence and protects his friend, standing in David’s defence even at potential personal peril.
Godly love is revealed in the difficult, dangerous times, not just the sweet, good ones! In a modern world where the bible warns that people are “lovers of self”, this story is a glorious portrayal to us of how to love others as ourselves.
What a glorious picture to us also of Jesus! It was when all creation cried out against us for our terrible sins and guilt before God that Jesus rose to our defence and He covered us and provided what we needed, even though it cost Him His life! May we reflect this love in our friendships and partnership and always put others above ourselves. May we always, like Jonathan, come to each other’s defence and may we be faithful, especially in the adverse times when everyone and everything is against our David. As we are faithful in our marriages, friendships and partnerships in the gospel, we can reflect Jonathan’s (and Christ’s) love and can glorify God.
Why not spend some time weighing ourselves in the light of this?
Who are the Davids which God has placed in our lives?
Are we acting in love as faithful Jonathans?
May we learn from this, reflect Godly love and be a Jonathan to our very own Davids because everyone needs a Jonathan!
Author: Andrew Selley - Lead Elder, Joshua Generation Church, Cape Town