Jonathan

MEMORY VERSE: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

I SAMUEL 20:12-17; 23:15-18

JONATHAN was the eldest son of King Saul. The name means “Jehovah given” (Strong’s) or “the gift of Jehovah.” It is through his relations with David that Jonathan is chiefly known to us. These two men had a deep attachment for each other. So far as we know, Jonathan and David first became acquainted following David’s slaying of the giant, Goliath, when he was taken into King Saul’s house.

Shortly before this David had been anointed king of Israel in the place of Saul, although at the time it is doubtful if Saul knew this. However, because of David’s great popularity with the people, Saul became insanely jealous of him, and sought to kill him. Jonathan, on the other hand, loved his father. The record indicates that they were almost constant companions. He was nearly always present at his father’s meals.

This placed Jonathan in a difficult position, because he loved David also, and the hearts of the two were knit together. But despite the difficulties involved, Jonathan’s love for David continued, although he remained close to his father. During the time that Saul was seeking David’s life, on every needful occasion Jonathan sent due warning to David of his father’s plan, and thus helped David to escape the clutches of his jealous enemy.

Jonathan would ordinarily have been next in line to occupy the throne of Israel when his father died. However, it would seem that David, because of his friendship with Jonathan, had informed him that he, David, had been anointed by Samuel to be the king, and we find Jonathan quite reconciled to this, and willing to become second in the nation under David. But this situation did not materialize, for Jonathan was killed in battle with the Philistines at a time when the army of Israel, under Saul, was being put to flight, and Saul fell upon his sword, taking his own life.

We have in this relationship between Jonathan and David a noble example of friendship. Many in Jonathan’s position would have chosen between the father and David, but he did not. He remained loyal to both. And probably one reason for this was the fact that despite Saul’s hatred of David, and his efforts to destroy him, David remained loyal to him, in the sense that he refused to do anything to injure the near-insane king. This was a quality of character which would call forth the respect and love of every right-thinking person.

In keeping with the sentiment expressed in our memory verse, Jonathan risked his life because of his great love for David. And while this is a marvelous example of what love accomplishes in the human heart, it is by no means the greatest example of love that is presented to us in the Bible. After saying to his disciples that no man hath greater love than that which is displayed in the sacrifice of life for his friends, Jesus continued, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (vs. 14) One of the things which Jesus commanded his followers was that they should “love one another.”—vs. 17

This means that we have the privilege of laying down our lives for the brethren. It also means that if we do not display a willingness to sacrifice our all, even life itself, on behalf of the brethren, and in the Lord’s cause in general, we do not have a proper degree of love in our hearts. John wrote that we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.—I John 3:16

Love is a crowning characteristic in the outworking of every feature of the divine plan of salvation. It was the Heavenly Father’s own love which motivated him to give “his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus, in turn, exemplified this same quality of unselfish love in his willingness to lay down his life for all mankind.

And while Jesus spoke of the great love manifested in willingness to lay down one’s life for friends, he actually laid down his life, not only for his friends, but for his enemies also. Besides, he sacrificed his life under most trying circumstances. He was beaten, railed upon, and taunted by those who sought his life. They said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” (Matt. 27:42; Mark 15:31) How little they realized that by refusing to save himself he was providing salvation for them, and for the whole world of mankind! Truly this was the greatest of all demonstrations of love.

QUESTIONS

Who was Jonathan, and what does the name mean?

How is Jonathan best known to us?

How did Jonathan manifest his love for David?

What example of love greater than Jonathan’s is presented to us in the Bible?

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