The Love of a Friend


Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. 
1 Samuel 20:17 

The series of events which follow David’s anointing by Samuel as Israel’s next king are not exactly what we would expect. In just the two chapters that follow his anointing in chapter 16, we see David in multiple battles with the Philistines starting with the giant Goliath (1 Sam 17), he has a clash with his own brother (1 Sam 17:28), and direct/indirect attempts on his life by Saul a total of seven times; one of those occasions, he evades Saul’s murder attempt by having a dummy placed in his bed. And even after the many failed attempts, we read in chapter 20 that Saul is still seeking to kill David. In contrast to Saul’s envy, disloyalty, and unwillingness to submit to God, Jonathan, Saul’s son, displays humility, loyalty, and covenant faithfulness.

In this chapter, Jonathan evidently believed that the covenant that Saul had made in 19:6 was still in effect and that his father no longer sought the life of David. This explains his confusion when David questions him as to why his father was trying to kill him. David and Jonathan devise a plan to determine why, and if, Saul is trying to kill David. A covenant is established between the two that neither would do the other harm, which expands on the covenant they had made to one another in the 18th chapter. Jonathan, of course, had great incentive to deceive David, as he would be next in line to be king. However, his loyalty to David shows his great love for God and for David; a characteristic that we find lacking in Israel’s first king.

At the Feast of the New Moon, Jonathan keeps his vow in determining his father’s plans, without disclosing where David was hiding, over and against Saul’s will. Even after being charged with treachery and nearly being killed by his own dad, Jonathan upholds his part of the covenant and alerts David of Saul’s intentions. Jonathan demonstrates great commitment to keeping his word, despite the costs, and is an example to all of what humility, loyalty, and covenant faithfulness looks like.

As God’s people, we must also be willing to count the costs as we have also entered into a covenant. Our covenant, however, is not with flesh and blood, but the creator of all things. We must live with integrity and obedience to God. Likewise, we have also covenanted together as the body of Christ and the sort of relationship that Jonathan and David had should be one that is on display in our relationships with one another. As Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Philippi, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:4-5). We must seek the benefit and good of one another. For those who are married, this level of loyalty ought also be present in our vows to one another. If we have acted enviously or betrayed another, let us be quick to repent. If we have ever broken our vows to the Lord, may we run to the feet of the Father who delights in forgiving his children.

Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez

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