When many believers think of the story of David and Jonathan, the first thing that often comes to mind is the deep bond of friendship they shared. In 1 Samuel 18: 1-4, we are told of the great friendship and love between David and Jonathan that was sealed by a covenant between them.
However, there are several important aspects of their lives, before and after they became friends, that are often overlooked. These include significant events that shaped their characters, the roles they played in God’s plan, and the challenges they faced individually. Here are five key details that may not be as commonly remembered about these two biblical figures.
Table of Contents
I. Lessons From Jonathan
1. Jonathan: A Brave and Seasoned Warrior Leads the Army of the Lord
Before the famous David and Goliath story, there was another seasoned warrior in Israel whose name was Jonathan. Before meeting David, Jonathan had led the Israelites in ambush against different enemy encampments.
In 1 Samuel 13: 3-5, Jonathan leads the Israelites to attack a garrison of Philistines that were camped in Geba. Again, with only his armor-bearer, Jonathan attacks and defeats the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14: 6-23.
Jonathan was brave and trusted in God’s faithfulness in keeping the covenant he made with Abraham and Jacob. And, that’s why even before David refers to the Philistines as “the uncircumcised who threaten the army of the Lord” in 1 Samuel 17:26, Jonathan has already done so 1 Samuel 14:6.
This shows us that the two friends understood the power of the covenant that the Israelites had made with God before they both met and became friends and trusted in God’s victory based on this pact.
2. Jonathan Risks Half of the Weapons in Israel’s Arsenal to Go to War
During the period that Saul was king, the Israelites lacked enough weapons to go to war. In fact, the Bible tells us that there were only two swords in the whole nation: one belonging to Saul and the other to his son Jonathan [1 Samuel 13:22].
The Philistines had managed to get rid of all blacksmiths who made weapons in Israel, save for some among the Philistines who only made and repaired the Israelites’ farming equipment. Even in battle, the Israelites had no other option but to trust that the remaining weapons would suffice to give them victories.
Ideally, in times of scarcity, we tend to manage our available resources with greater care to ensure they last. However, we see Jonathan risking 50% of the weapons available to the Israelites when he attacks the Philistines with only his armor-bearer [1 Samuel 14:1-23].
In the end, Jonathan’s unwavering faith and trust in the Lord gives him victory because the battle becomes God’s battle. God saw the level of faith in Jonathan and took over the battle to give Jonathan and the Israelites victory.
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II. Lessons From David
1. David: The Wilderness as a Place of Preparation
While Jonathan was leading the Israelite army in different battles on behalf of his father, there was another man who was undergoing preparation in the wilderness also to become a great warrior and leader. His name was David.
In the Bible, the wilderness is a place of separation and isolation where we are taken to be tested and refined in preparedness for the work or battle ahead of us. Even Jesus was led into the wilderness for forty days to be strengthened and tempted before he could begin his ministry.
2. Change of Mantles
When Samuel had anointed David as king in front of his family, the rest of the Israelites were yet to know that he would be their king. When David walks into the camp to visit his brothers, he experiences a holy anger against the Philistines and Goliath for the threats they make against the Israelites. When David volunteers to face Goliath, the army attempts to adorn him in armor and a sword so that he can face Goliath.
At this point, we have already seen that there were only 2 swords and sets of armor in Israel. Have you ever asked yourself why it had to be Saul and not Jonathan who volunteered his armor and sword to David? Also, why did David only put on Saul’s armor momentarily and then take it off? Well, it is because that act represented a change of mantle from Saul to David and foreshadowed his replacement by David as king.
III. David and Jonathan
1. The Unforgotten Covenant
The story of David and Jonathan does not culminate with the death of Jonathan but when David remembers to honor the remaining members of Saul’s household. Jonathan was a divine helper sent to aid David in escape from the traps and snares set by Saul to kill him. In 2 Samuel 9, we are told that “for the sake of Jonathan” and the covenant of friendship that David had with him, he chose to honor Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was cripple. David does not forget his covenant with Jonathan even after his death but remains loyal to his household.
IV. Lessons we Learn from the David and Jonathan Stories
- Leveraging the Promises of God. As believers, we can leverage God’s promises to pray and ask Him to intervene in our struggles. Both David and Jonathan knew that God would faithfully keep his covenant and not allow the Israelite army to be put to shame.
- Surrendering our Battles to the Lord. The Bible tells us to “cast our burdens to the Lord,” and our battles will become his battles [Psalms 55:22]. The battles may belong to God, but the victories are ours.
- Our Sufficiency comes from God. Some battles cannot be defined by the capacity or tools we have at hand. Jonathan slays many Philistines despite only having one sword and armor. He did not win the battle because he had the support of the army. Our sufficiency does not lie in our numbers, weapons and machinations but in the Lord.
- Thriving in the Wilderness. As believers, when we face tough struggles, we should not complain to God but ask Him to use such situations to refine our faith and trust in Him and the purposes He has for us.
- Remembering to Honor Our Divine Helpers. David remembered to honor the son of Jonathan because of his covenant with Jonathan and for the help he received from him as he escaped from Saul. God sends us men to help us in our walk with Him and we should remember to honor them when they do so.
“Lord God, I come before you in worship and thanksgiving, for you have proven to be a faithful God. You keep your promises to us and rescue us in our times of struggle when we call upon you. May you give me the grace to surrender myself and my battles entirely to you, and you will give me victory just like you did the Israelites.
I will no longer rely on my plans and my strength to fight any battles but put my trust in You, Lord. Let this battle be yours and give me the victory. I pray for the grace to connect with and be aligned with my divine helpers just like David and Jonathan, and I will remember the goodness and favor that you have expressed through them. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen”
Prayer
“Lord God, I come before you in worship and thanksgiving, for you have proven to be a faithful God. You keep your promises to us and rescue us in our times of struggle when we call upon you. May you give me the grace to surrender myself and my battles entirely to you, and you will give me victory just like you did the Israelites.
I will no longer rely on my plans and my strength to fight any battles but put my trust in You, Lord. Let this battle be yours and give me the victory. I pray for the grace to connect with and be aligned with my divine helpers just like David and Jonathan, and I will remember the goodness and favor that you have expressed through them. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen”
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