Study the Bible
with Pastor Gregory

1. The Essential Attraction between Friends – v. 1
   
   
1. This section picks up even as the previous closes – David is with Saul relating how God had enabled him to kill Goliath – "Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul …"
2. From the character of David, we know that David did not look upon what he did as that significant – he just did what he felt the Lord would have him do.
3. We are told that Jonathan is present – presumably listening with great interest to see how this young man would handle himself.
4. We remember that Jonathan had been motivated by God’s Spirit to place his confidence in the Lord and had attacked the Philistine garrison – cp. 1 Samuel 14:6
5. Jonathan listened as David related his story and we are told that "… when [David] had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David …"
6. There was clearly a very close resemblance of affections, dispositions, and counsels that caused a tremendous attraction of their souls.
7. It is clear that kindred spirits find each other in various scenarios – so much so that the advice that we give our children is to concentrate on being the kind of friend that you would like to have and you will attract such an one.
8. We are told that Jonathan’s respect for David was so intense and there was such a great appreciation for David that "Jonathan loved him as himself."
9. Loving someone as yourself is not a endorsement of self-love, but rather is a commentary on the strength of genuine love of another – that it even rivals your commitment to yourself – cp. Matthew 22:39
   
   
2. The Evidence of Alienation between Foes – v. 2
   
   
1. However, in contrast of Jonathan’s appreciation of David is seen in Saul’s wariness of David – "Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house."
2. We see here the element of apprehension that Saul senses in the strength of this boy’s character – he was someone to be feared as a threat to Saul.
3. Instead of having David’s influence outside of his direct control and supervision, Saul felt that it would be better to have him in his immediate presence.
4. A person who is not able to trust themselves into the hands of God feels the need to manipulate and scheme in order to attain a sense of control.
5. Instead of being delighted with David, Saul realized that there was a great distinction between his alienated condition before God and David’s evident simplicity of faith.
6. Instead of appreciating David’s example and being challenged toward a simple faith himself, he loved himself as he was and felt a certain alienation to David
7. Those who follow the Lord and are striving to be pleasing to him need not fear others – and need feel no alienation from those who disagree – for their motivation is not the approval of men, but God – cp. Galatians 1:10; Colossians 3:22-24
   
   

1. The Degree of Commitment
   
   
1. As Jonathan and David interacted, it became evident that this friendship was something that had good cause – they possessed a heart for the same cause – the glory of God.
2. As a consequence, Jonathan began to realize that David was indeed the anointed of the Lord – probably even the one referred to by Samuel as the man God had chosen that was Saul’s "neighbor, who is better than you." – cp. 1 Samuel 15:28
3. Very naturally, the young prince Jonathan might have felt first envy, and then hatred of David, who was to supplant him; but instead there was a commitment of soul to the one chosen of God
4. Because Jonathan is a God-fearing man of genuine faith, he did not serve a personal agenda, but yielded to the will of God – cp. 1 Samuel 23:17
5. The essential characteristic of a "covenant" is that one’s word is given in the presence of God that is binding regardless of the circumstances.
6. Henry Clay Trumbull once said – "Friendship by its very nature consists in loving rather than in being loved. In other words, friendship consists in being a friend, not in having a friend."
   
   
2. The Derivation of the Commitment
   
   
1. Once again we ask ourselves – "Where does such commitment to another come from?"
2. The text here repeats the heart of Jonathan – "… because he loved him as himself."
3. Many friendships suffer because they are sought for the definite and distinct purpose of personal gain – such friendships manifest a lust for personal gratification and not out of a genuine love for another.
4. True friendship springs from a heart that is able to see past its own welfare and advances itself to the benefit of another.
5. It is herein that a true friend finds fulfillment – John 15:13.
   
   

1. The Priority of Friendship
   
   
1. This welfare of the other is the essential priority of friendship – to provide what will enable the object of your friendship to gain what is best in the sight of God.
2. Thus, the Scriptures teach that the "wounds of a friend" are to be appreciated – cp. Proverbs 27:6
3. In this account, Jonathan clearly keeps David’s standing before the Lord as the anointed of God as the main priority
1. He protects him from the hostility of David’s enemy
2. He affords him counsel and encouragement – even when David was so discouraged that he was ready to give up, Jonathan bolstered him up because of his loyalty to the Lord – cp. 1 Samuel 23:15-17
   
   
2. The Proof of Friendship
   
   
1. Jonathan, as the crown prince, wore the garments of royal succession.
2. We are told here that he is so devoted to David as the man of God’s own choosing, that he took these garments and placed them upon the one who truly wore them with the blessing of God – "Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David."
3. In addition, he took the articles that represented his own protection and placed them into the hands David, symbolizing that he was entrusting his own safety into the hands of the rightful, God-given leader of Israel – "… with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt."
   

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