1 Samuel 18 - Jonathan

Jonathan

Who was your best friend in High School, what did you spend time doing together?

Jonathan is first described in 1 Samuel 14:1-5 when he wins a battle while relying on the Lord for his victory. From that passage we can see that Jonathan is one who depends on God and places God’s work above his own.

                Just prior to these verses, David kills Goliath

1 Samuel 18:1-5

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. ² Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. ³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. ⁵ So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

The end of chapter 18 describes how Saul (Jonathan’s father) became jealous of David and was afraid of him and wanted to kill him.

1 Samuel 19:1-7

Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David. ² So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself. ³ I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you; if I find out anything, then I will tell you.” ⁴ Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “ Do not let the king sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very ^[b]beneficial to you. ⁵ For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death without a cause?” ⁶ Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” ⁷ Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these words. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as formerly.

What does it take for two people’s souls to be knit together?

Jonathan’s Qualities as a Godly Friend –

Selfless Humility – He virtually abdicated the throne

He was an advocate for David

Jonathan was loyal to David through thick and thin.

What are some of the qualities (Of friendship) we see in Jonathan?

To have a friend like Jonathan, you have to be a friend like Jonathan.

Why is it such a challenge to be a friend who shows humility, is an advocate, and be loyal. (XYZ)

For most of us, our spouse is the closest friend we have. Can a married person have a friendship like David and Jonathan?

What does this passage reveal about God’s pattern for our lives?

What does this passage teach us about God?