David (Hebrew דָּוִ(י)ד Dāwīḏ or David)
Jonathan (Hebrew: יְהֹונָתָן Yəhōnāṯān or Yehonatan) were heroic figures of the Kingdom of Israel , whose covenant was recorded favorably in the books of Samuel.
Some of us may know them as the “Bible Best Friends”
Jonathan was the son of Saul, king of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin.
David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem…What some may not know was that David was also Jonathan’s presumed rival for the crown. As we do know David eventually becomes king.
Story of David and Jonathan
The relationship between David and Jonathan is mainly covered in the Old Testament, First Book of Samuel.
David, the youngest son of Jesse, slays Goliath at the Valley of Elah where the Philistine army is in a standoff with the army of King Saul (Jonathan's father). David's victory begins a rout of the Philistines who are driven back to Gath and the gates of Ekron. Abner brings David to Saul while David is still holding Goliath's severed head. Jonathan, the eldest son of Saul, has also been fighting the Philistines. Jonathan takes an immediate liking to David and the two form a covenant.
“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. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 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. So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war.” (1 Sam 18:1 NASB)
David in the wilderness
Saul makes David a commander over his armies and offers Michal, his daughter, in marriage. David enjoys success in battle, and his growing popularity makes Saul afraid "What more can he have but the kingdom?" Saul makes several failed attempts to kill David. Learning of one of these attempts, Jonathan warns David to hide.
David flees into the wilderness. David agrees to hide until Jonathan can confront his father and ascertain whether it is safe for David to stay. Jonathan approaches Saul to plead David's cause: "Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, 'You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?"
Jonathan is so grieved that he does not eat for days. He goes to David at his hiding place to tell him that it is unsafe for him and he must leave, and the episode ends with them parting ways.
"...David rose from beside the stone heap and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He bowed three times, and they kissed each other, and wept with each other; David wept the more. Then Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, "The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, for ever."' He got up and left and Jonathan went into the city."
The death of Jonathan
As Saul continues to pursue David, the pair renews their covenant, after which they do not meet again. Eventually Saul and David reconcile. Jonathan, however, is slain on Mt. Gilboa along with his two brothers Abinadab and Malchi-shua, and there Saul commits suicide. David learns of Saul and Jonathan's death and chants a lament, which in part says:
“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions... "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. "How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!"
So Why have I chosen THIS story to share?
Well....Let's just say I can relate in many ways to much of what David had to go through in his journey to his destiny....THIS part in particular gripped my heart.....The LOVE that David and Jonathan shared and the life statement that it makes through out David's life.
I can relate to this kind of love and the sacrifice of it all.
Although the characters are different....not necessarily a "best friend"...but the plot is the same, there's still the same emotional tugging, controlling and the likes.....and definitely the covenant relationships.I am also having to take a trip into the wilderness for safety sake.
I am sure many of you can relate as well.
I just came from the desert places....and now am entering the wilderness. They are quite similar in many respects.
Both very trying....however when I look at those that went before me through the desert places with the Lord and through the wilderness experiences...I see one common factor. In the dessert they generally traveled alone....and when the Lord brought them into the wilderness.....they weren't alone. The Lord allowed for them to have family, and in some cases like David he ended up having followers. An army of men.
I guess I just felt like I was encouraged today and wanted to share Davids story hoping that maybe "some how" maybe it would encourage someone else......to "be encouraged" IN YOUR DESSERT and/or WILDERNESS experience. After all it is just part of our journey...from here>>>>>>>>TO>>>>>>>>>there.
God Bless and Keep you Close as you serve him with ALL your heart!
Loving the Master with ALL I am,
Amy Colleen
