Jonathan, A Friend Indeed by Mike McDaniel
Mike McDaniel, evangelist for the Central church of Christ in Caruthersville, MO, host of “A Bible Answer,” and faculty member of the Memphis School of Preaching steps in to write an article on Jonathan. Thank you, brother McDaniel!
GOD’S INTRODUCTION
Jonathan was the oldest son of King Saul (1 Chron. 8:33) and was the heir to the throne. He served in the army and led a thousand men (1 Sam. 13:2). He was married and had at least one son named Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 4:4). He died tragically with his father in battle on Mount Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:1-2).
JONATHAN’S IDENTIFICATION
Jonathan was a capable soldier who believed that if the Lord was working with you, “there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). By faith, he secretly won a great victory over the Philistines. When he unknowingly violated a command of Saul by eating honey and would have been killed by his father, the people rescued him (1 Sam. 14:24-27;44-45).
Jonathan was David’s dearest friend. Theymet after David’s defeat of Goliath (1 Sam. 18:1- 2). Jonathan “loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam. 18:1). He made a secret covenant with David that they would be friends for life and sealed it by giving him his royal garments and weapons (1 Sam. 18:3-4). Later, the covenant would include that David would not destroy Jonathan’s family when he became king (1 Sam. 20:14-17, 23,42) and that Jonathan would be his second in command (1 Sam. 23:17).
When King Saul desired to kill David, Jonathan remained loyal to David and warned him (1 Sam. 20). King Saul was so angry that he even tried to kill Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:33-34). Aware of Saul’s hatred toward David, the friends met secretly and had a tearful goodbye (1 Sam. 20:41-42). When David was in the wilderness of Ziph, Jonathan risked his life to come and see him for what may have been the last time. "And Jonathan, Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God" (1 Sam. 23:16). A friend indeed offers encouragement when it is needed the most.
Following their deaths in battle, David honored Saul and Jonathan with a beautiful lamentation (2 Sam. 1:17-27).
David never took his friendship with Jonathan for granted. Years later, David remembered the covenant he had made with Jonathan. "And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Sam. 9:1). He learned of Mephibosheth who was crippled when he was five by his nurse dropping him (2 Sam. 4:4). David sent for Mephibosheth and said, “Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” (2 Sam. 9:7). David showed his gratitude for Jonathan’s friendship by caring for his disabled son and sparing him from Gibeonite vengeance (2 Sam. 21:7).
As a final gesture, David disinterred the bones of Saul and Jonathan and gave them a proper burial in the family plot in Benjamin (2 Sam. 21:12-14).
OUR IMPRESSION
Several lessons from Jonathan are impressed upon our minds.
(1) You can step out of the large shadow of a family member and be victorious if you step out in faith.
(2) Wisdom is a must in friendship choices. David certainly recognized real character and abiding loyalty the day he chose Jonathan as friend. If you have a friend indeed, you are rich indeed!
(3) Each one of us should ask ourselves if our friends really strengthen our hands in God? If not, we need new friends!
(4) While we can no longer show gratitude to our friends who have passed away, perhaps we can do something for their families as a memorial to those we loved.
Thank you, brother McDaniel, for this excellent article!