The covenant with Jonathan

Saul’s son Jonathan was also a brave man like David. He had previously initiated a victory for Israel in the battle against the Philistines (ref. 1 Sam. 14:6). (1) Jonathan’s heart was closely knit to David’s heart. He must have been deeply moved seeing David’s actions and hearing his words. (2) That day, Saul made David a professional soldier and allowed him to live in the palace. It was a significant promotion. From then on, David lived as one of Saul’s palace guards. (3) Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself. As a result, he made a covenant with David. This was a brotherly covenant. As a sign of this, Jonathan gave David his robe. Moreover, he even gave him his entire set of armor. (4) David began taking actions, wearing Jonathan’s armor and robe. The people saw this and understood that Jonathan loved David and had made a covenant with him.

Lessons for us

There are lessons for us in this brotherly covenant. (1) Jonathan was older than David. However, Jonathan was a person who could instead of being jealous of David’s success and popularity, rejoice them with him. In other words, he could delight in what God was doing through David’s life. This quality is also found in John the Baptist, who said, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Do you have the faith within you to rejoice in what God is doing? (2) David received high praise and honor from Jonathan. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had become arrogant, but he did not. It is because he has the Lord’s mercy, he can accept people’s praises rightly without becoming arrogant. David’s demeanor can also be found in the Lord Jesus. The Lord told His disciples, “So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). Are you able to accept people’s praises rightly without becoming arrogant?