Growing up I remember singing the song “what a friend we have in Jesus” at church. All our sins and grief to bear! Having close friends and confidants helps with the ups and downs of life. How much more so the steadfastness of Jesus, who is always interceding for us at God’s right hand and has given us the Holy Spirit as a comforter.
After God’s victory of Goliath, through the hands of his faithful servant David, David’s star rose to shine brightly in Israel’s skies. His feat certainly caught the attention of the calculating King Saul, but it also caught the attention of Saul’s son, Jonathan. While Saul’s acts were calculating, Jonathan’s acts expressed a man of faith who rejoiced in another’s use by God.
After seeing David confidently defeat Goliath, trusting in God for the victory, Saul was intrigued. Ever the worldly calculator, Saul wondered about this young man whose victory captivated Israel’s attention. What was his background? What were his intentions? How could he benefit?
It was for this reason that Saul asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” (v.55). Saul already knew David, because David played the harp in his Court. He had just talked to him before the battle. But now David was not just a musician or a kid with a desire to take on Goliath, but a mighty warrior champion. Potentially, a threat. What was his pedigree?
Abner naturally did not know, so was instructed to make inquiries (vv.55-6). He did so by bringing David before the king (v.57). David, fresh off the battlefield, holding the head of Goliath in his hands, before King Saul (v.57). What a sight it must have been.
Saul asked his question again, to find out what David’s background and social status was. David responded matter of factly “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite” (v.58). No thanks for ridding him of a troublesome Philistine. Just another knight on the chessboard to move around.
What a contrast then, with Saul’s son Jonathan. Where Saul was calculating, Jonathan rejoiced that God was using another man for his purposes. “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (v.1).
Both men had a common faith in God, and a common spirit of service and devotion motivated by that faith. Both had done great deeds for Israel motivated by their faith. But they were also different people.
Jonathan was the Crown Prince. The Heir Apparent to Israel’s throne. He was years older than David, who was not yet old enough to join the army. He came from privilege, while David came from more modest means. He came from a different tribe.
David was a threat. He may not topple Saul, but he may have displaced Jonathan as Saul’s successor in a popular revolt. Jonathan had much to lose, and little to gain. Yet despite this, Jonathan had found a fellow believer who served God over self.
There was nothing impure here. This was the bond of two men who saw love of God in each other, and had both achieved great things in God’s strength. Anyone who says otherwise says more about their weird obsessions than about David and Jonathan.
So David joined Saul’s Court (v.2). He was too prominent a figure to not keep close; to not ensure a bit of the glow reflected onto the king.
But David and Jonathan forged a close friendship which was sealed by a covenant (v.3). He endorsed David and lent him his own prestige by lending him his clothes and armour (v.4). No soldier would sneer at David now.
Thus David went forth and fought God’s enemies, successful wherever he turned (v.5). The people were happy. Saul’s servants were happy. Saul? To be confirmed.
Clearly, we should not view fellow servants of Christ as chess pieces to move, but as fellow servants to rejoice in. The love of Jonathan for David, a fellow kinsman in God, is the same love we all ought to have for each other. When God uses another for good, we should rejoice instead of feeling envy. Feeling bitter towards a fellow servant? Pray for their success!
Yet while this is true, we must come back to that hymn. What a friend we have in Jesus! “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) Jesus said. Which is exactly what he did.
As great a friend as Jonathan was to David, Jesus is a greater friend. His covenant was with the Father from all eternity, to save us from our sins. He clothes us with his righteousness, and arms us with the armour of God. He laid down his life for us, that we may be reconciled to God.
What a friend David had in Jonathan. But a greater friend in Jesus. What a friend we have in Jesus, too!
