684 treatment only served to deepen his de sire to serve David. Jonathan was loyal to his father. He was true son, hut he was also loyal to his friend, and took action to befriend him. (3) THE BLESSED BOND, vs. 41, 42. The story of the covenant made be tween Jonathan and David is found in the 11th and the 24th verses of our chapter,— but the whole story of Saul and Jonathan is necessary to a full un derstanding of the heart of Jonathan, and what it must have cost him to be a loyal friend to David. Saul loved Jonathan, wicked as he was. Saul would have put his own son to death had it not been for the peo ple (14:44, 45) but nevertheless he made a confidant of him, and seems to have found in that wonderful son of his one in whom he could trust, and to whom he could pour out the secrets of his life. David found it difficult to believe that Jonathan would be true to him against his father’s wish and will, and we can sympathize with David in his extremity. The friendship between Jonathan and David was notorious. David had re ceived some intimation of Saul’s pur pose, perhaps through Micahl, Saul’s daughter, and he had said “ There is but a step between me and death” (20 :3 ). But Jonathan replied, “Whatso ever thy soul desireth I will even do it for thee (20:4). Now David evinces his lack of confi dence in God, for God had assured him that he should be king, and faith would have anchored to the words of Samuel s Vhen he was first anointed (1 6 :1 ); but aven Samuel feared Saul, and are not we ourselves often tempted to doubt God’s goodness and God’s promises? , David laid a plan by which he was to be made acquainted with Saul’s in tention and Jonathan carried it out. Saul attempted to kill his son, and this drove Jonathan to the farewell meeting
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S with David. The Spirit of God had been with Saul, but had now departed from him. Jonathan covenanted to tell David the whole truth, and David covenanted to show kindness to Jonathan’s house for ever. This promise David fulfilled by taking to his own table Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9:10; 21:7). The farewell words and the parting kiss recorded here made a magnificent picture. Two great soldiers, with the record of wonderful achievements; two loving friends, with heart ties which they only could understand; two names enshrined on the tablets of fame, and love to one another as the greatest of all the things for which they will be re membered. Spiritual affinity alone could have made this blessed bond pos sible. TYPICAL TEACHING David, a type of Christ. Jonathan, a type of the church. Our David has delivered us from the power of the enemy. He is the coming King, now rejected. Our hearts knit with His when we beheld His victory. He needs our friendship. He tells us all His heart’s secrets. He has made an everlasting covenant with us (Acts 2:39). We should forsake all and follow Him, going forth unto Him without the camp. (Heb. 13:13.) We are separated, yet one. Jonathan lacked one thing,— entire separation from Saul, David’s enemy. Compromise is always cpstly. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) The path of the believer is beset with many dangers. (2) Saul’s son was not safe from the rage of his father. (3) It is perfectly right to indulge in righteous indignation. (4) An Unseen Hand can be seen in the guiding of the javelin. (5) Jonathan forsook all for his friend. Our Lord was forsaken of His
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