Jonathan was King Saul’s son, and, technically, he would have been next in line to the throne of his father. However, Saul disobeyed the Lord, and therefore, God rejected Saul as king (See 1Samuel 15:10-35). This also meant that his son was disqualified to be the next ruler.
God directed Samuel, the prophet, to anoint David as the next king over Israel, but it took years before David came to the position. In the meantime, David served Saul at the palace, but Saul developed jealousy and hatred towards David.
Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:1-4
Interestingly, Jonathan should have been the person hating David. He could have been jealous and resentful that God picked David, a shepherd boy, over him. He could have been angry about losing his right to the throne. However, Jonathan was courageous to accept the truth and God’s assignment for him as well as David’s.
The above scripture tells us that Jonathan took his robe off and gave it to David. This was the recognition of the call of God on David and the admission that Jonathan was not going to be the future king. Furthermore, Jonathan became a good friend to David. When Jonathan knew that Saul was searching to find David and kill him, he was courageous again to inform David of potential threat to his life.
In the face of seemingly unfair circumstances, Jonathan’s courage made a way for God’s plan to be fulfilled. He partnered with God to ensure that David remained safe and that took his position as king. The prophesies in the Old Testament foretold that the Messiah was going to come from the line of David and from the root of Jesse (David’s father). Jonathan’s courage helped to fulfill God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Are you courageous to accept the truth about yourself as well as others? Are you able to be a friend to someone who seems to be doing better than you? Can you courageously accept people’s placement and provision in life and be happy for them?
