Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: The Love of Jonathan For

◄ David: King of Israel: The Love of Jonathan For ►

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, renowned for his leadership, psalms, and deep relationship with God. Among the many relationships that defined his life, the bond between David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul, stands out as a profound example of friendship and loyalty.

The love of Jonathan for David is first introduced in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, where it is written, "After David had finished speaking with Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." This passage highlights the immediate and deep connection between the two men, a bond that transcended the political tensions of the time. Jonathan, recognizing David's anointing and future as king, willingly entered into a covenant with him, symbolized by Jonathan giving David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt. This act of selflessness and loyalty is significant, as it represents Jonathan's acknowledgment of David's future role and his own submission to God's will.

The friendship between David and Jonathan is further exemplified in 1 Samuel 19:1-7, where Jonathan intercedes on David's behalf when Saul seeks to kill him. Jonathan speaks well of David to his father, saying, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly" (1 Samuel 19:4). Jonathan's advocacy for David demonstrates his commitment to justice and righteousness, even at the risk of his own standing with Saul.

In 1 Samuel 20, the depth of Jonathan's love and loyalty is further tested. Aware of Saul's intent to kill David, Jonathan devises a plan to warn David of impending danger. The emotional farewell between the two friends is captured in 1 Samuel 20:41-42, where they weep together, and Jonathan reaffirms his covenant with David, saying, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'" This covenant underscores the enduring nature of their bond, rooted in their shared faith and commitment to God's purposes.

Jonathan's love for David is characterized by selflessness, loyalty, and a deep spiritual connection. Despite the potential threat to his own claim to the throne, Jonathan supports David, recognizing the divine anointing upon him. This relationship serves as a model of true friendship, marked by sacrificial love and unwavering faithfulness.

The narrative of David and Jonathan's friendship is a testament to the power of covenantal relationships and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Jonathan's love for David is a poignant reminder of the virtues of loyalty, humility, and the pursuit of righteousness in the face of adversity.

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1 Samuel 18:1-4
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
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Library

Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship
... victory of love over self is his saying, 'Thou shalt be king over Israel, and I ... Truly
did David sing in his elegy, 'Thy love to me was wonderful, passing ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/jonathan the pattern of friendship.htm

Faithful unto Death.
... God was preparing him to be king over Israel, so he ... from Saul, and Jonathan went
back to the king's house ... was slain in battle, and Jonathan also, David came to ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxi faithful unto death.htm

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... Gradually he learnt, as all Israel learnt, that Samuel had anointed David to be
king, and that he, Jonathan, was in danger of not succeeding after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... Even David had been like the kings of other eastern ... to take refuge with the great
Shishak, King of Egypt ... have learnt the idolatries from which Israel had been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The History of David
... And then all the people came in tofore the king, and they of Israel that had beerv ...
fled into their tabernacles, and after came again unto David when they ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... Sometimes David stayed at Gibeah, where the king's house ... The fighting between King
Saul and the Philistine tribes ... minds to make the men of Israel their servants ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

Love and Remorse
... him are foredoomed to failure, and that David 'shall surely ... as the giant form of
the first king of Israel. ... first flush of pride in their soldier king, to slay ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... The oppression of Israel's enemies which in part at least made necessary ... It was after
this battle that David was anointed to become king in Saul's ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... A SUMMARY OF ISRAEL'S FAITHLESSNESS AND GOD'S PATIENCE. ISRAEL'S OBSTINACY AND GOD'S
PATIENCE. ... THE PROMISED KING AND TEMPLE-BUILDER. DAVID'S GRATITUDE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... The last stage of David's wanderings had brought him ... the regard of Achish, the
Philistine king of Gath ... his contingent, in the invasion of Israel, which crushed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm