1 Sam. 18:1-5
When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armour, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
BLOG DISCUSSION QUESTION: What made Jonathan love David "as his own soul"?
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2 comments:
Loved your "pebbles" of faith comparison, Pastor Jerry!
As to Jonathan...Chuck Swindoll says: Aware of the rough waters David was about to sail, God gave David an intimate friend in Saul's son, Jonathan. Jonathan had a willingness to sacrifice. Although several years older and a mighty warrior himself, Jonathan didn't act superior toward David. Just the opposite, he made a lasting covenant of friendship with him, ratifying it with sacrificial token of his devotion--his robe, armor, sword, bow and belt. By giving David his robe and armor, Jonathan was in effect transferring his own status as heir apparent to him. He saw in David the divine blessing and kingly attributes his father had lost. So he willingly forfeited his own future to allow David free access to the throne when the time was right. Even with Saul's unwillingness to step aside, and brimming with jealousy,--even setting up schemes to kill David, Jonathan courageously defended his friend.
A real friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The thing that made me ask this discussion question was that it was such an abrupt statement. We are given no explanation why Jonathan felt so strongly toward David....it just says that he did. My guess is that he admired David's courage, skill, and faith...but we don't really know for sure. There are a lot of places like this in the Bible where we don't really know why things happen....often times we ask the question why, and we are left to guess. It is always important to remember that it is a guess.....and it is often better to base our understandings on what the Bible tells us, and not what we tend to guess about.
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