Best Friends Forever: Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 19:1-7; 20; 2 Samuel 1:29)
Note: A script of less than 3000 words and 6 pages appears at the foot of this page.
Big Idea
Jonathan himself was a hero, saving Israel. However, David the Christ saved Jonathan by defeating Goliath. Jonathan’s response was love, and giving David the Kingship. Both showed faithful covenant love and kindness to each other, Jonathan during the crisis, David after Jonathan’s death. Everyone needs to copy Jonathan and give everything, including the throne, to God’s Christ. We need to copy the brotherly love the two shared.
Introduction
Friendship among people in high office is not usual. It is not usual that leadership rivals make solid agreements about power transition. We know a political leader needs to worry when his colleagues say:
‘This party has a leader who I fully support’; or ‘The prime minister has my full confidence’; or ‘There is no leadership issue, there is no leadership challenge’. We know when we hear that, that we cannot believe anything they say.
So on the ALP side, Ms Gillard said: ‘I am more likely to be picked as full forward for the Western Bulldogs than to be come Prime minister’, just before she took the leadership from Mr Rudd.
And Mr Rudd said, ‘I do not believe there is any situation where I will become Prime Minister’, just before he took back the leadership from Ms Gillard.
I wonder if Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard are friends again? No. Apparently Julia Gillard has deleted Kevin Rudd as a friend on facebook[1].
And the Liberal Party aren’t much better. Remember the supposed ‘agreement’ between Mr Howard and Mr Costello to pass the leadership after two terms? Mr Costello said there was an agreement. Mr Howard said that there wasn’t.
I wonder if Mr Costello and Mr Howard are friends again yet? No. In 2010, they were still arguing about the leadership transition[2].
I wonder if Bob Hawke and Paul Keating are friends yet? No. As recently as 2010, they were publicly brawling about who was holding the Hawke-Keating Government together[3].
And what you need to remember is that all these rival leaders are ON THE SAME SIDE. These are the captains talking about the vice captains, and vice versa. They are not even talking about the opposition. With friends like these, who needs enemies? With deputies like these, who needs outlaws?
It’s hard to have friends in high places. Particularly if you are in high places yourself. Proverbs 17:17 says:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
But we rarely see this among our leaders. It might happen. But we rarely see it.
Leadership as we see it is lonely. Your deputy might want your job. You have to watch your back. And power transitions are notoriously difficult. Our best and brightest cannot manage them.
But we see something different in the elationship between Jonathan and David. The friendship between Jonathan and David is one of the most beautiful relationships in all of Scripture. Precisely because it was between two exceptional leaders who would have otherwise been rivals. The proven crown prince from Benjamin loved the newly anointed and victorious Christ from Judah. Together, they swore a covenant of peace between two rival royal houses.
Yahweh saves through few: Jonathan rescues Israel (chapters 13 to 14)
We are introduced to Jonathan in 1 Samuel chapter 13 (verses 2, 3) Jonathan is the eldest son of King Saul (chapter 14 verses 49). Which means he is first in line of the throne, the crown prince.
Saul’s great victory over the Philistines was in chapter 11. But by the beginning of chapter 13, it is not Saul leading Israel. It is Jonathan, his oldest son. In chapter 13, Jonathan initiates an attack on the Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 13:3).
Jonathan as son of the King has privilege and responsibility. Privilege, because Jonathan gets to fight with weapons (1 Samuel 13:22). 1 Samuel chapter 13 verse 22:
So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them. (NIV)
I saw the movie Galipolli again recently. It portrays the massacre of Australian light horse soldiers at the Nek[4]. It was a bayonette charge. Empty your guns boys, Give up your bullets, this is a bayonette charge only. And so three waves of young Aussie men charged the machine guns with empty guns with only bayonettes, and they were slaughtered.
Out of 3000 men, Israel had two sets of weapons: for the King Saul, and for Jonathan, the Crown Prince. Well, at least Jonathan has the privilege of a sword and spear. So Jonathan had privilege. But he had responsibility, because Jonathan had to use his weapons. And because God loves to save the underdog, Yahweh wins.
In 1 Samuel chapter 14, Jonathan initiates a second attack on a Philistine outpost. His father Saul the King doesn’t even know. Jonathan shows initiative, leadership and courage. While his father hangs back, Jonathan moves out with only his armour bearer. In the situation, this shows Jonathan a good Commander. He doesn’t risk the lives of his unarmed men. He’s not like the generals sending over the men to be slaughtered at the Nek. He goes out and fights the battle for his men. And if Jonathan wins, he can take the enemies weapons and give them to his men.
Thus he can arm his men and strengthen Israel’s army.
So Jonathan takes on the Philistine Garrison with only his young armour bearer. It’s a good strategy. And he shows courage. He says, 1 Samuel chapter 14 verse 6:
‘Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.’ (NIV)
Salvation is from the LORD. Jonathan knows this. Being outnumbered is no problem for Yahweh. Even not having weapons is no problem. That’s the way God loves to work best.
And in his second attack, with God’s help, Jonathan and his armor-bearer kill twenty men (1 Samuel 14:14, 45). Then Yahweh sent the whole Philistine army into panic (1 Samuel 14:14). The Philistines starting fighting each other. And when the Philistines ran away, Israel slaughtered them. So through Jonathan, Yahweh rescued Israel (1 Samuel 14:23). Jonathan brings about a great deliverance in Israel (1 Ssamuel 14:45)
So Jonathan is a great hero and warrior in Israel before David enters the story. In Samuel chapters 13 and 14, Jonathan is a hero in his own right. Though of course, it is not in his own right – for it is Yahweh through Jonathan that wins the victory.
But humanly speaking, Jonathan leading his troops with wisdom and courageous. He has faith in God, that God can save by many or few. And he values the lives of his men.
Saul by contrast is hesitant, indecisive[5], and just plain silly. Saul puts his men under a needless oath. ‘No one is to eat until I have avenged myself’ (1 Samuel 14:24). Der! He didn’t believe Napolean’s maxim, that an army marches on it’s stomach. Saul’s foolish oath exhausts his army, limits their victory, and led to sin. (1 Samuel 14:28-30) It led to sin because once the men got the upperhand, they were so hungry they fell upon the livestock they plundered and ate meat with the blood still in it, sinning against Yahweh (1 Samuel 14:31-34).
Moreover, Saul’s stupid oath imperiled Jonathan’s life. Saul was about to kill Jonathan to save face. Jonathan ate some wild honey, not knowing about his father’s stupid oath. Only the men’s intervention saved Jonathan from Saul’s hand.
Jonathan: David will be King, Not Me (1 Samuel 15:28-29; 18:1-4; 23:17)
When David comes along in chapter 16 and 17, we see that Jonathan and David share much in common. Both lead Israel’s fight while King Saul twiddles his thumbs. Both put their trust in Yahweh. Both believe that Yahweh saves through many or through few. And God wins great victories through both of them. And while both are winning great victories, Saul looks on from the sideline.
It’s not surprising that after David defeats Goliath, Jonathan becomes one in Spirit with David. 1 Samuel chapter 18 verses 1 to 4:
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4 NIV)
Jonathan’s soul is knit to David’s. Jonathan, a hero himself, sees a hero among heroes. But Jonathan also recognizes that David is the better man. Jonathan failed to take on Goliath, but David did. Jonathan owes David his life. David saved Jonathan, along with all Israel.
Take My Royal Robe (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
So Jonathan’s response is grateful love, expressed in giving David everything. Jonathan gives him his weapons, rare and valuable as they were. And out of love, Jonathan gives his royal robe[6], the robe of the crown prince. This is not just giving hand me down clothes to the poor younger brother. This is Jonathan saying, ‘Here is the Better man’ God promised. It is saying, ‘You will be King, and I will be second to you’.
David, The Better Man
Samuel said to Saul ‘the LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and have given it to one of your neighbours, -- to one better than you.’ (1 Samuel 15:28 NIV). And Jonathan has found the better man. It is David. Jonathan gets himself off the throne, and puts David on it. ‘I bow to your greatness. You are my superior.’ The Crown Prince loves the Lord’s Anointed.
Putting the Christ on the Throne
If anyone is a Christian, they have copied Jonathan. When the Christian sees the LORD’s Christ, they see the better man. Jesus Christ has fought the Christian’s battles for him or her. Jesus Christ went to the cross to take our sins, to defeat satan, hell and death. So they bow to Christ’s greatness. And the Christian wants to give the Christ everything.
So the Christian says to Christ, take my robe, take my sword, my belt. Do you want my wallet? Here’s my iphone, my computer, my house, my children, my thoughts. Take my life and let it be, consecrated only unto thee.
Lord Christ, I am going to take myself off the throne of my life. And Lord Jesus Christ, I’m putting you on that throne.
That’s what Jonathan did for Christ David. That’s what Christian does for Christ Jesus.
The Covenant of Steadfast Love
Jonathan and David formalize their friendship. They make a covenant. They make solemn mutual promises of loving kindness to each other.
Why do they do this? In part it expresses their deep brotherly love. But remember who we have here! We have the Crown Prince, Jonathan. And we have the Lord’s Anointed, destined to be King, David So this is not merely a private arrangement between two mates. This is a covenant between two Royal households. If followed, this covenant will preserve the peace of God’s people. It will ensure that Yahweh’s choice of King will be honoured by the people.
Now, in our perverted world, some say that Jonathan and David were gay. Oh look, a man loves another man. They must be homosexual. But they deliberately overlook that everyone loved David.
1 Samuel 18:16, all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 1 Samuel 16:21, Saul loved David[7]. And 1 Samuel 18:28, Saul’s daughter Michal loved David (also verse 20) And 2 Chronicles 6:42, the LORD God promised love to David
With the show, ‘Everyone loves Raymond’, we don’t impute homosexuality, do we? They read homosexuality back into they relationship because that’s what they want to find.
The love Jonathan has for David is shared by his father, nation, and sister. Jonathan’s sister Michal’s love for David is expressed and consummated in marriage and sex. But not Jonathan’s.
Platonic brotherly love is a good thing. Men are heat seeking missiles, looking for a big brother. Men are fighters, looking for a captain and king worthy of respect and allegiance. Men are looking for a cause to live for and to die for.
And we are looking for a man worth following.
We men are faking it when we give the impression we are tough, and can live by ourselves without others. We are putting on a show because we just don’t want to look like whimps.
Jonathan has found the man he will happily live and die for. David Christ. And gentlemen, I hope you have found the man you will live for and die for. Jesus Christ.
David will be King (1 Samuel 23:17)
Jonathan’s love is expressed differently to his sister’s. Jonathan’s sister loves David by marrying him. Jonathan loves David by willingly giving David the kingship. Jonathan wants to be David’s most faithful and loyal lieutenant. Later, Jonathan will say to David in chapter 23 verse 17:
You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you (1 Samuel 23:17 NIV).
Jonathan does what each of us must do. He kisses the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed. He bows in submission to him. And indeed, each of us is called to that relationship with Yahweh’s King. Everyone needs to love the Messiah like Jonathan. All must seek to be second to the Son of God.
Jonathan’s confession of the Christ means that Saul’s house must be second. Such an easy transition of power is not to everyone’s taste. Namely, Saul.
Saul knows that his line has ended. Saul heard those fateful words uttered by Samuel. 1 Samuel chapter 15 verses 28 to 29:
"The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors - to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (NIV)
Saul knows that Jonathan will not be king after him (1 Samuel 20:31). God has uttered an unalterable decree. Not Saul, nor Jonathan, but David, will be King. Samuel has told Saul in the clearest possible terms. And Yahweh won’t change his mind.
Jonathan Intercedes for David (1 Samuel 19:1-7)
Jonathan sees David will be King, not him, and rejoices. Saul sees that David will be King, and is overcome with bitter jealousy. Saul cannot accept it what Jonathan embraces. Chapter 19 verses 1 to 3:
Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out." (NIV)
This time, in chapter 19, Saul listened to Jonathan’s reason. Jonathan was able to temporarily tame the green monster within Saul. Sense stayed Saul’s hand in 1 Samuel 19. Saul even swore an oath not to kill David And Jonathan reconciled Saul to David. And it was all happy families again… for a little while.
But now Jonathan and David shared something else. At one stage, Saul had almost killed each of them. Saul had intended to put both of them to death. First his son, for eating a little honey. Then David, for being a better man than him.
Jonathan Loves Christ, Not Father (1 Samuel 20)
But that is the last time Jonathan’s intercession will succeed. Soon enough, Saul will threaten David’s life again (1 Samuel 20). The evil Spirit takes over Saul. And from 1 Samuel 20 on, Saul is intent on killing David. Saul might say, ‘David, I’m sorry, you are better than me, I won’t hurt you, come back’. But Saul is lying. This is all non-core. Saul’s core commitment is to kill David.
It’s like a politician saying, ‘I am more likely to be full forward for the Western Bulldogs than Prime Minister’. ‘I do not believe there is any situation where I will become Prime Minister’. David will be picking the knives out of his back if he believes it. Saul will use every resource and trick at his disposal to kill David. One cannot live while to other remains alive. Saul will only be stopped by the grave.
Now, I’ll spoil the story for you. Which has already been spoilt, because God has spoken, and he doesn’t lie or change his mind. David does become King, and Saul gets killed in battle.
But in 1 Samuel chapter 20, Jonathan doesn’t see that. What Jonathan sees is that his Father is King. Jonathan himself is crown prince. And the King has the Army and the resources of the Kingdom for his vendetta against David.
David flees with nothing. And is now being hunted like an animal. Jonathan, not David is in the box seat.
Yet, Jonathan doesn’t trust what his eyes see. He trusts the Word of God.
At the beginning of chapter 20, Jonathan still believes that Saul will stick to his earlier Oath not to kill David (chapter 19 verse 6). Jonathan still believes that Saul will not kill David. But by the end of 1 Samuel chapter 20, Saul’s disgraceful treatment of David shows Jonathan that his father Saul has set himself up as David’s implacable enemy.
In 1 Samuel 20, our bible reading, David is understandably troubled. In chapter 19, the King irrevocably turned on him and attempted to spear him. So David runs away to Samuel. And then David returns. He returns to talk to Jonathan. David meets Jonathan in the field outside the city. He wants Jonathan to find out why Saul hates him. David knows that Saul is a twisted liar. But Jonathan doesn’t. So David appeals to Jonathan to find out the truth. David wants to show Jonathan that Saul won’t keep his oath.
David in desperation pleads their covenant of mutual kindness. Jonathan, for his part, swore to protect David. Jonathan will be good for it.
Before Jonathan knows his Father’s real intentions, Jonathan decides not to side with his Father, but David, the Lord’s Anointed. And, with prophetic eye, Jonathan asked David to protect his family. David needed protection in the present.
But Jonathan’s children will need protection in the future. Because Jonathan is afraid of David…. rightly afraid. For despite appearances, David is the Lord’s Christ. 1 Samuel chapter 20 verses 13 to 17, Jonathan says:
But if my father is inclined to harm you, may the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away safely. May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father. But show me unfailing kindness like that of the LORD as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family-- not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. (NIV)
Jonathan knows that David will be King. Jonathan knows all David’s enemies will be killed. And so Jonathan asks for kindness. Kindness is the key in this relationship.
Jonathan wants that kindness not just for him. He wants it for his family after him. In the future, the tables will be turned. It will be Jonathan, not David, who will be vulnerable. Jonathan will need kindness and mercy.
Jonathan somehow knew that David would be God’s Messiah, that God would swear to him an eternal dynasty. Jonathan saw, chapter 20 verse 16, that David would have a ‘house’, a dynasty. And so Jonathan wants to have David a ‘BFF’. A best friend forever.
And after Jonathan discovers the appalling truth about his father, Jonathan goes out of the city and signals to the hidden Christ that David must flee. The pre-arranged sign is an arrows shot over a boy’s head.
Israel is too small for both David and Saul. And the Christ required of Jonathan to choose. Jonathan had to choose between Saul his Father and David his King. And Jonathan chose Christ David. Saul the Father hates the Christ, and Jonathan cannot and will not go with him.
Later, Christ Jesus would say ‘I have come to turn a man against his father’ (Matthew 10:35 NIV), and ‘a man's enemies will be the members of his own household' (Matthew 10:36 NIV) and ‘anyone who loves his father … more than me is not worthy of me’ (Matthew 10:37 NIV), and ‘if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:26 NIV)
Jonathan loves Christ David more than his father, more than his house, more than his brothers, more than his children, more than his own life. And Christ Jesus calls you too to make the same choice. Christ Jesus says to us as he says to Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these’? Do you love me more than mother, father, husband, wife, children? Do you love me more than life itself? Do you hate them compared to your love for me?
The only safe answer is ‘Yes’.
David and Jonathan will meet one last time[8]. It is one last brief meeting in the desert. And God willing, I will look at that with you next week, when we look at David in the desert.
David’s Eulogy A Testimony to Brotherly Love
But the saddest thing about the Jonathan story is this. Despite Jonathan’s loyalty to and love for the Christ, he still must die. Jonathan is dragged down to premature death by his father’s sinful stupidity. One last time, Jonathan will takes his stand beside his Father. Not against the Lord’s Anointed, David. But against the Philistines. And he will die there. The sins of the father are visited on the son.
Jonathan shows how you can both hate your father and honour your father. It might cost even your life. But you can still keep the fifth commandment and honour your Father. Jonathan still honours his Father, even though he hates his Father. Jonathan stands beside the doomed King Saul in battle, and dies with him. The Philistines kill Saul, Jonathan, and his brothers (1 Samuel 31:2; 2 Samuel 1:23).
Loyalty to the Christ doesn’t save you from suffering or death in this world. Sometimes it speeds it up. And Jonathan died both honouring his sinful Father and honouring the Christ.
David’s grief for Jonathan is expressed in a way that I find is deeply sad, perhaps even shocking. 2 Samuel chapter 1 verse 26:
I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women[9]. (NIV)
We can understand David’s pain, but there is a deep sadness in these words. It shows that marriage has not been a comfort for David. His marriage with Michal, Saul’s daughter, ended badly. After David fled, she was given to someone else for a wife. And when Michal came back to David as King, she showed she despised David and preferred her father, King Saul.
Another factor feeding into David’s poor experience of marriage is polygamy. Hunted in the desert, David took two wives. And anyone who reads the bible knows that there is no domestic peace or marital harmony when the marriage bed is shared in bigamy or polygamy. Polygamy is a recipe for domestic disaster. So it is no wonder that Jonathan’s love for him was better than that of a woman. David’s use of the institution of marriage doomed it to fail.
But the positive we can take from the statement is this. Brotherly love, the love of brothers, Philadelphia, is a deep balm. Genuine platonic brotherly love can heal many wounds. And so the Apostle Paul tells us. Romans chapter 12 verse 10:
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)
Isn’t that what Jonathan did for David? Jonathan was devoted to David in brotherly love. Jonathan, in his special situation as crown prince, honoured David above himself.
You will be King, and I will be second to you (1 Samuel 23:17)
So we need to copy Jonathan and David in faithful and kind brotherly for each other.
And I’ve seen lots of brotherly and sisterly love among you, my friends. Well done. Keep it up. I see you guys loving the brotherhood of believers. But to you who already are loving your brothers and sisters in Christ, I remind you of this, 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 9 to 10:
Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. (NIV)
David’s Kindness to Jonathan’s Family
Jonathan is dead before time. But his covenant of kindness still lives. The covenant lives because David is faithful to his promise.
Jonathan had a son who was lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4-5; 2 Samuel 9:1-13). His nurse dropped him when the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death came. His name was Mephibosheth. And when David was established in power, he called Mephibosheth, and said:
“Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (2 Samuel 9:7 NIV)
David was faithful to the living and the dead. And for Jonathan’s sake, he showed kindness to Mephibosheth.
Conclusion: Do you Love the Christ?
Do you love Jesus Christ?
Do you love the King who fought your battles for you on the cross, the battle against the world, the flesh and the devil, against sin, death and hell. Do you love the one who won the victory and rose victorious over all your enemies so that you can live at peace with God?
Jonathan is a model disciple of the Christ. He loves the Christ more than his own father. He loves the Christ more than his own life. Jonathan chose the future King and Christ over his own flesh and blood who did not submit to the future King. Whoever does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, a curse be on him (1 Corinthians 16:22). But grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Ephesians 6:24 NIV).
Let’s pray.
[1] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julia-Gillard-has-deleted-Kevin-Rudd-as-a-friend-on-facebook/138622989481305
[2] (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/howard-unleashes-elitist-costello-blew-his-chance-at-power-20101021-16w4p.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/howard-failed-country-and-party-costello-20101026-172d4.html
[3] (http://www.theage.com.au/national/paul-keatings-letter-to-bob-hawke-20100715-10cfx.html
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/true-rivals-20100715-10cpx.html
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Nek
[5] Saul’s indecisiveness is seen in 1 Samuel 14:18-20, when he calls for the Ark, presumably enquiring of the priest and then when the battle goes well, saying ‘withdraw your hand’, and then in 1 Samuel 14:36-46, when he says, let’s plunder and slaughter the Philistines, and the men want to, but they inquire of the LORD, find Jonathan has eaten the honey, the men save Jonathan, and then, verse 46 ‘Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines’. Israel failed to capitalize on the victory given by Yahweh through Jonathan because of Saul’s foolish oath, and his indecisiveness to attack the Philistines after the initial victory.
[6] Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Preach the Word, 350
[7] The NIV’s ‘liked David very much’ is actually ‘loved greatly’ (ahab). See RSV, NASB, AV, RV, ESV, etc.
[8] See next sermon in this series, ‘The Christ Tested in the Wilderness (1 Samuel 18 to 2 Samuel 4)’ and the subsection, ‘The Angel Strengthening the Tested Christ: Jonathan’ (1 Samuel 23:15-18).
[9] No doubt the gay lobby jumps on these words and twist them to their own destruction. But David feared the Lord and loved the torah (Psalm 1, 119) and would have seen the abomination it is to Yahweh to lie with a man as a woman (Leviticus 18 and 20)