Trust and Faith

Following Jonathan’s example??? Who was he?

5 min read, approximately

“David said: Is there anyone left of Saul’s household to whom I may show mercy for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)

We generally talk about who David was, what he did, his great feat against Goliath, and how many victories God gave him over his enemies. Reading the passage above also reminds us of how David showed mercy to Mephibosheth. Yet there are people we pass over because they are not the main characters. Have we ever wondered why the Lord allowed them to be named? For example, Jonathan. Who was Jonathan? Where did he come from? And the passage even says: “to whom I may show mercy for Jonathan’s sake.” The Word teaches us that Jonathan was one of King Saul’s sons (1 Samuel 14:49)… Let us look at the qualities that marked Jonathan: \1. Cowardice? No! He was decisive! Jonathan did not hesitate when it was time to attack:

“Saul had already reigned one year, and when he had reigned two years over Israel, he chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people back to their tents. Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison on the hill, and the Philistines heard about it.” (1 Samuel 13:1-3b)

“One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the servant who carried his weapons: Come, let us cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side. But he did not tell his father.” (1 Samuel 14:1)

\2. He trusted the Lord and knew that he gave victory:

“The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, saying: Come up to us, and we will show you something. Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer: Climb up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into Israel’s hands. Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Those who fell before Jonathan were killed by his armor-bearer following him. In this first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about twenty men in an area of about half a yoke of land.” (1 Samuel 14:12-14)

\3. He opposed what was wrong:

“Jonathan answered: My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more if the people had freely eaten today from the spoil taken from their enemies? Would not the slaughter among the Philistines have been greater? That day they struck the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, but the people were very tired.” (1 Samuel 14:29-31)

\4. He knew that the Lord supported and delivered him:

“Saul answered: May God do this to me and more also, for you will surely die, Jonathan. Then the people said to Saul: Must Jonathan die, who has brought this great deliverance to Israel? It shall not be so. As the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has acted with God today. So the people rescued Jonathan from death.” (1 Samuel 14:44-45)

\5. He made covenants, agreements, or commitments with everyone who loved the Lord!:

“When he had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s soul was bound to David’s, and Jonathan loved him as himself… Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his other clothing, even his sword, his bow, and his belt.” (1 Samuel 18:1,3-4)

\6. He interceded for his brothers when they were in trouble:

“Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said: Let the king not sin against his servant David, for he has done nothing against you and his deeds toward you have been very good. He took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought great deliverance to all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why, then, would you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause? Saul listened to Jonathan’s voice and swore: As the Lord lives, he will not die. Jonathan called David and told him all these words. He himself brought David to Saul, and David was in his presence as before.” (1 Samuel 19:4-7)

\7. He sought solutions instead of causing problems: Read 1 Samuel 20 \8. He gave words of encouragement in times of distress:

“When David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life, he stayed at Horesh in the wilderness of Ziph. Then Jonathan son of Saul arose, came to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. He said to him: Do not fear, for the hand of my father Saul will not find you. You will reign over Israel, and I will be second to you; even my father Saul knows this. They both made a covenant before the Lord. David stayed at Horesh, and Jonathan returned home.” (1 Samuel 23:15-18)

and 9. He loved his neighbor as himself:

“How the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies dead on your heights! I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me. Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.” (2 Samuel 1:25-26)

. Only someone whose mind is twisted by evil could think something different about these last 2 passages!! (To confirm this, please read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.) Could we follow Jonathan’s example today? What do you say?

May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
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