1 Samuel 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Vs 3 “because he loved him as his own soul”.
Introduction: After David’s victory over Goliath in chapter 17, Jonathan’s soul was knit with David’s soul. Immediately, there was a connection and a bond that only got stronger with the passing of timeand the circumstances of life.
The friendship that Jonathan and Saul shared was unique, intimate, and mutual. Because of that friendship, a love for one another developed.
Today, it’s difficult to find true friends, and people who truly love each other in the Lord. People say to each other frequently “I love you” however, do they really? Do they truly mean what they say? Jonathan is a great example of someone who truly loved David and proved it.
Jonathan proved to Love David by:
I. Speaking good of David- I Samuel 19:1-6 “and Jonathan spakegood of David unto Saul his father” After David slaughtered the Philistine Goliath in chapter 17, the woman of the city came out to sing and dance, and Saul was wroth because the woman ascribed Saul thousands of deaths and to David they ascribed ten thousands, “and Saul eyed David from that day and forward”. In other words, from that day forward, Saul wanted to kill David.
o During the meeting with King Saul and his servants, Jonathan proved to love David by not only speaking the truth but by speaking good of David.
o A true friend doesn’t just sit back and say nothing about that friend when given the opportunity.
o Proverbs 31:8-9 “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy”. This is exactly what Jonathan did for David.
II. Standing up for David- 1 Samuel 20:30-33 “And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, wherefore shall he be slain? What hath he done? In the time when David needed someone the most to stand up for him, Jonathan did exactly that, he stood up for him.
o Sometimes speaking good about a friend to others is good enough. Other times, you need to stand up for that friend at all costs, and that is exactly what Jonathan did for David.
Illustration: At that time, in that place, for that situation, it was very nice that someone was willing to stand up for me.
When Jonathan stood up for David:
o It cost him grief- 1 Samuel 20:30- Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman,”
o Standing up for his friend David caused Jonathan grief. To have your father angry at you because of another person will cause anyone grief. Even after this incident between Jonathan and his father Saul, Jonathan was still faithful to his friend David.
o Almost cost him his life- 1 Samuel 20:33- “And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David”.
o Jonathan’s life was in danger because of his concern for David. For simply standing up for his friend. Can you imagine risking your life for your friend?
Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother”These kinds of friends stick closer than family.
III. Strengthening David – 1 Samuel 23:16 “And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.” Notice how this strengthening took place.
o Requires Rising- “And Jonathan Saul’s son arose” Jonathan stopped everything that he was doing, he put his plans aside, and rose up with the express purpose of helping out David in his time of need. When a friend needed help, Jonathan arose.Jonathan didn’t just talk about it, he did it.
o Requires Going- “went to David into the wood”. Strengthening others requires leaving our comfort. The mere thought or intention of wanting to strengthen a friend is not enough. Strengthening others requires going out a good way and meeting that friend where they are physically and spiritually. Notice, Jonathan went out of the city, past everything and everyone else into the wood. This may take time, money, other expenses, etc., but there was a friend in need and Jonathan went.
o Requires God- “strengthened his hand in God”. When strengthening a friend in distress, above rising, and going to meet them, the most important thing is God. Without God we can do nothing, Jesus said “for without me ye can do nothing”.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. These words from God will strengthen any Christian in distress.
Conclusion:
As we have seen, Jonathan proved to love David by speaking good of David even when it caused him grief against his father, and almost cost him his life.
Jonathan also proved to love David by standing up for David, against his own father, when David’s life was in danger.
Lastly, Jonathan proved to love David by strengthening David in the Lord when he most needed it.
When you, like Jonathan, find a friend like David, and your hearts are knit together, make sure to love that friend as your own soul. But remember, it’s not merely enough to say you love someone, but to proveit, and put those words unto action.