p. 183 | DAVID AND JONATHAN by H. J. Spicer

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 18, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 12

DAVID AND JONATHAN.

By H. J. Spicer

BY H. J. SPICER.

OUR peculiar treasury of gems—the Bible—affords some of the most touching incidents of true and lasting friendship. Yes, we may say that were it not for the habitual indifference that makes the narrative commonplace, the portraits of the sacred volume would secure a finer sense of appreciation than the unreal fancies of fiction. What novelist has invented a stranger and at the same time more admirable example of self-denying devotion to a friend, than that on record of David and Jonathan?

We need not repeat the story, so familiar to all, but may with profit consider its practical lessons. The prince yields all to the shepherd boy of Israel, and in his undisguised favor and devotion to the oppressed, and his entreaty for the safety of the defenseless, he endangers his own life. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Well might David commemorate in song such wonderful love.

But there are other characteristics of Jonathan that are worthy of close study. How was he disposed toward his father, whom he knew to be cursed from the Lord? What is his example for those who have all the gospel light? Let us search the record for a reproachful word to his godless father. Do we find it? We see him entreating in the spirit of Christian humility with such effect as to awaken to life the remnant of tenderness in that hard heart, and to win from Saul a pledge for the safety of David. And after this apparent conversion from his evil design against David, we find him trusted by Jonathan to the last degree of charity. Saul had sworn, “As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.” And Jonathan said, “Why should my father hide this thing from me?” On the other side, we see his wonderful love for David calling forth the promise, “Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee,” in full confidence that David would ask nothing improper. Just as the Saviour can say to those in perfect harmony, “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

Then follows the covenant to bind the posterity of David and Jonathan. Not because confidence was wanting without such confirmation, but “Jonathan caused David to swear again because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” This is one Old Testament example of fulfilling the Saviour’s new commandment for love to a neighbor.

The next meeting was in a wood by stealth, where Jonathan said that David would surely be king, but added, “And I shall be next unto thee.” To be second only to David—was it selfish, or must we grant this as the rightful request of that wonderful friendship which could in no way be satisfied without this intimate association and a place for the work his valiant heart was willing to do? We may place this also on the side of self-denial. Besides, Jonathan was so confident of the friendly esteem of David that he was sure he would receive the highest honor in David’s power to confer. This mutual tenderness probably had a powerful influence on the life of David.

But Jonathan did not leave Saul, to join David’s company. Both showed strength where Abraham, Rebecca, Jacob, Moses, and others failed,—in waiting God’s own time and way of fulfilling prophecy. When grown to manhood, Jonathan honored his parents; and David’s forbearance with Saul is remarkable in its contrast with the many regicides of his successors.

Should Jonathan have perished side by side with his doomed father? Did he fulfill the Saviour’s principle of leaving all for the word’s sake? Let us examine. The disciple that must hate father and mother must hate his own life also, and shall a man leave home to escape himself? May not some be too soon willing to leave home for the truth’s sake?

Jesus suffered the traitor Judas to the close of his ministry. Jonathan showed a well-balanced character. He loved David as he loved his own soul, yet perished with his father, David’s deadly enemy. In his fidelity to David he was true to the God who had chosen him; and in keeping the fifth commandment he honored also his Father in Heaven. So we find David inspired with lofty admiration of this example that lifts him above the memory of Saul’s persecution, while he sings, “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided.”

A plot one-half so refining, in the phrase of modern romance, would incline one reading it to follow through the story. So let us love the word of God, and search out its treasures of beauty with renewed interest.

Friend, would you be a Jonathan, or have an opportunity for so great manifestation of fidelity? There is another story for us, still deeper in interest, where we may fail, with the effort of a lifetime, to fathom the love of our Elder Brother, surpassing all the loves of earth, and therewith peace that passeth understanding.

Battle Creek College.