“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 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
Jonathan and David — a friendship for the ages. Rarely have I had friendships this close with other men but I do have some brothers that come very close. A friend who is closer than a brother is a find worth keeping.
The text tells us “Jonathan become one in spirit with David.” One in spirit and loved him as himself. What caused Jonathan to love David like this? Certainly it was the Lords favor that the son of the king would love David in a way that would form a lasting friendship even when he was pronounced king.
Whereas Jonathan loved David and saw the Lord working in his life and most certainly upon his face and character, Saul became jealous as we will later see and “kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.” But Jonathan made a “covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” Again, this is remarkable. Jonathan bound this covenant of friendship and love with his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt. Jonathan gave everything in his possession to bind himself to David and prove his friendship to him.
The story of David and Jonathan is one for the ages. It demonstrates the friendship we can also have with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus called his followers friends and not servants. And in John 15.13 affirms this when Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We are a friend of God if we follow his commands.
But some may ask how do I become a friend of God? We invite him into our lives, our hearts and confess to him our sins. Becoming a friend of God means we receive Jesus as our Messiah. Once we do this, his Holy Spirit will come and reside within our bodies and with our souls. The friendship of David and Jonathan is not unlike the friendship we have with Jesus who gave up his life so we might live.
Is there any greater gift of friendship than this? What are you waiting for to unite or even reunite with God? Turn your face to Jesus, open up your heart, and let the God of the Universe be a friend to you today.
“O Lord God, the love between David and Jonathan was pure, right and holy. It was a brotherly love that is not unlike your love, Lord Jesus, for your people. Thank you for demonstrating for us how we can love one another and represent your presence in our midst. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power. Help me know the truth of your grace and the purity of your love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen