LESSONS FROM JONATHAN

If people know anything about Jonathan, the son of King Saul, they probably know that he was a faithful friend to David.  I learned two more important things about Jonathan recently. First, he would have made a wonderful king.  Second, he was very sensitive to what God was doing in God's Kingdom.

Jonathan as King
In the past, I have thought of Saul as a foil to David, the poor king versus the good king.  That may be true, but the biblical narrator presents Jonathan in contrast to Saul in 1 Sam 13-14.  In these chapters we get a negative portrayal of Saul.  He does not seek the will of God (e.g. 14:18-19) but tries to coerce God's favor (e.g. 13:12) and, consequentially, loses his right to a dynasty (13:13-14).  (See the previous devotional on religious ritual and Saul).  His men are not confident behind him.  They are trembling and fleeing before the Philistines (13:6-7, 11).
Our portrait of Jonathan in 14:1-15 is quite different.  He trusts God and seeks God’s will.  He goes out against a Philistine outpost with just his armor-bearer, confident that God could deliver by few or by many.  His attack leaves the Philistines trembling and fleeing.  Jonathan had the unwavering support of his armor-bearer (14:7) and gained the support of Saul's army who recognized that God had brought about deliverance from the Philistines through Jonathan (14:45).  Jonathan would have made a great king.

Jonathan as Discerner of God’s Will
We receive another portrait of Jonathan in 18:1-4.  In the previous two chapters we learn that God has now chosen David to be Saul’s successor and God’s Spirit has passed from Saul to David (Ch 16, see verses 13-14); and, we watch David’s faith in God in action as he faces Goliath in battle (Ch 17).  Jonathan was a witness to the latter event.  However, the narrator has left Jonathan out of the scenes about Saul’s dynasty ending (13:13-14) and about David’s anointing to become the next king (Ch 16).  As the audience, we know this about Saul and David.  Jonathan does not have this knowledge.  He, as the first-born son of Saul and second in command of Saul’s army, was the prince who was next in line for the throne.  As we follow the narrative, we are set up to wonder, “How will Jonathan respond to David, the man who threatens to take away his whole future?”  In 18:1-4 we learn the answer.  Jonathan becomes one in spirit with David, makes a covenant with him, and gives him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.  What is happening here is most significant.  Jonathan gives what would be his royal robe to David, a symbol of passing on his role to David.  We are told that when the prophet Elijah was about to die, he gave his mantle to Elisha who would be his successor (1Kgs 19:19).  We also have a text in Isaiah 22:19-22 in which a person is deposed from office by his robe being taken from him and given to another person.  So without telling us directly, the narrator reveals Jonathan's heart, spiritual discernment, and submission to God.  Jonathan perceives the will of God.  Jonathan recognizes David as the successor to the throne and voluntarily yields to him!

Application:
Jonathan, who would have a made a good, faithful king, gave up all royal power and authority he would have gained to submit to the leading of God.  The overall challenge to me is to examine what pursuits I have that I need to give up in order to be in line with God’s Kingdom.  I think those matters tend to be clear – there is the conviction of the Holy Spirit – but they may still be difficult to surrender.  The daily challenge Jonathan’s story presents to me is to ask, “What is God doing around me that I am not recognizing because I am focused on matters that profit me?”  I start my day praying, “Jesus, what are you up to today?  I would like to be included.”  However, I do not get too far into my day before I become self-absorbed and insensitive to the things of God.

Lord, it is meaningless for me to pursue anything that is not in line with Your will and Your Kingdom.  Help me to become increasingly sensitive to my straying away from that focus.  Call me back by Your Spirit.  Rebuke me and turn me around.  Amen.