1 Samuel Chapter 20: verse 4 (NLT)
“Tell me what I can do to help you,” Jonathan exclaimed.
1 Samuel Chapter 20: verse 42 (NLT)
At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.
The friendship between Jonathan and David might seem an unlikely one in some people’s eyes. One is the king’s son, who legally in the normal scheme of things, would inherit the crown from his father. The other, though brought to the king as a servant, has been anointed king in place of Saul at God’s instructions.
Jonathan recognises God’s hand on David’s life. There is no jealousy in his heart as there is in his father’s. He loves David as he loves himself, and puts his own life at risk to keep David safe. David only ever treated Saul and his family with courtesy and respect.
How do we react if we see someone achieve something or be given a position we had hoped for, when the accolade or promotion appears to have passed us by. Perhaps someone receives recognition that we think is rightfully ours. Do we become jealous like Saul, or gracious like Jonathan? Is there something we could do to support the person who is in the position we had once hoped to be in ourselves? Saul’s jealousy brought him no peace. The grace showed by Jonathan was repaid by David to Jonathan’s family after Jonathan’s death. Both David and Jonathan sought to put God and others before themselves. Their conduct is a lesson for all of us in a world which encourages us to put ourselves and our rights before those of others.
Dear Lord,
May I seek to be as gracious as Jonathan even if it costs. Help me to put pride and personal ambition aside and seek to do what Jesus said – to love others as much as we love ourselves. I ask in His name. Amen.