In the biblical narrative, the intercession of Jonathan for David is a profound example of friendship, loyalty, and advocacy. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, the future king of Israel, shared a deep and covenantal friendship that transcended familial and political tensions. This relationship is vividly depicted in the books of 1 Samuel, where Jonathan's intercession plays a crucial role in David's survival and eventual rise to kingship.

Biblical Context

The account of Jonathan's intercession for David is primarily found in 1 Samuel 19-20. During this period, King Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him led Saul to seek David's life. Despite being Saul's son, Jonathan recognized David's anointing and God's plan for him, choosing to support and protect David even at great personal risk.

Key Passages

1. 1 Samuel 19:1-7: In this passage, Saul orders Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. However, Jonathan, because of his great affection for David, warns him of his father's intentions. Jonathan then speaks to Saul on David's behalf, advocating for his innocence and reminding Saul of David's loyalty and the great victory he brought to Israel by defeating Goliath. Jonathan's intercession is successful, and Saul swears an oath that David will not be put to death: "So Saul listened to Jonathan and swore an oath: 'As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.'" (1 Samuel 19:6).

2. 1 Samuel 20:1-42: This chapter further illustrates Jonathan's role as an intercessor. David, aware of Saul's persistent intent to kill him, seeks Jonathan's help. Jonathan devises a plan to discern Saul's intentions during the New Moon festival. Despite Saul's anger and attempts to manipulate Jonathan, Jonathan remains steadfast in his loyalty to David. He communicates Saul's intentions to David through a prearranged signal involving arrows, thus ensuring David's safety. Their parting is marked by a poignant moment of covenant reaffirmation: "Jonathan said to David, '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."'" (1 Samuel 20:42).

Theological Significance

Jonathan's intercession for David is a testament to the power of righteous advocacy and the strength of covenantal relationships. Jonathan's actions exemplify selflessness, as he willingly places David's well-being above his own potential claim to the throne. His intercession is not merely a political maneuver but a profound act of faithfulness to God's will and to his friend.

From a theological perspective, Jonathan's intercession can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's intercessory role for humanity. Just as Jonathan stood between his father and David, advocating for David's life, so too does Christ stand between God and humanity, advocating for our salvation. Jonathan's willingness to risk his own life for David mirrors the sacrificial love that is central to the Christian faith.

Lessons for Believers

The account of Jonathan's intercession for David offers several lessons for believers. It highlights the importance of loyalty and integrity in relationships, the courage to stand for what is right even in the face of personal loss, and the power of intercessory advocacy. Believers are encouraged to emulate Jonathan's example by supporting and advocating for others, trusting in God's sovereign plans, and maintaining faithfulness to divine covenants.1 Samuel 19:1-7
And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
Nave's Topical Index

A Word for the Persecuted
... friend Now, this question of David to Jonathan is one ... Was not David persecuted by
Saul, Daniel by the ... and very rampant, it drives us to intercession for them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a word for the persecuted.htm

Samuel
... represented as won for Israel by Samuel's intercession (1 Samuel 7:3 ... doubt that the
incomparable elegy over Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:19-27 is David's. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

Christ.
... Christ is rich indeed, both in his blood, resurrection, intercession, and all his
offices, together ... Jonathan's kindness captivated David, and made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... Friendship, benefits of, [3359]412; of David and Jonathan, [3360]503 ... Intercession,
priestly, [3481]426; advantages of, [3482]ib.; for those without never to ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

Questions.
... and in Luke 3.Zerubbabel's descent is derived from David, through Nathan. ... 8. How
did Esther conduct her intercession? ... 17. With whom did Jonathan make a treaty? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Philo of Alexandria, the Rabbis, and the Gospels - the Final ...
... yet for the Metatron of the Targum Pseudo-Jonathan and of ... to offer as the basis of
His intercession, least of ... as the Son of Man,' the Son of David,' the Son of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv philo of alexandria.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... David, though small, a victor, [887]458. ... Intercession to be made for Antioch,
[1370]346; arguments used in ... Jonathan's eating the honey, [1419]434; if slain, a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Jeremiah
... no excuse will be accepted and no intercession can avail. ... promise, not only for the
house of David, but for ... to the commands of their ancestor Jonathan with the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... by some-But can he fetch me off, though I have done as David, as Solomon ... Christ is
always a priest in heaven, and there ever lives to make intercession for thee ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 55]195; the qualities of love, [56]195; examples of in our Lord, Jonathan, Rebecca,
[57]196 ... David, his love for his people, [437]146; to his rebel son, [438]198 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.org

Intercession: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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