01 April 2009

The godliness of Jonathan

From a young girl I heard the stories of David and knew him to be (as scripture says) " a man after God's own heart." I knew how God had rejected Saul from being king. I knew of the friendship of David and Jonathan. I never realized what a godly man Jonathon was.

(1Sa 14:6)
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Jehovah will work for us; for there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few.

(1Sa 14:10)
But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up; for Jehovah hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign unto us.

If we continue to read chapter 14 we see that Jonathan and his armor bearer were able to fight a battle and win. Jonathan knew that there was nothing God couldn't do. He knew that God didn't need a huge army to win the battle.

He also showed amazing love towards David, the man that took what was in fact Jonathan's rightful place on the throne. Yet, Jonathan never let anger, or bitterness come between him and David.

(1Sa 18:1)
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Jonathan could have gotten angry at his dad for blowing his chance at being king. He could have gotten angry at David for taking his spot.Yet as we look in scripture we see none of that. He stood by his father- fighting with him till the end. And we see him also protecting David till the end.

(1Sa 23:16)
And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

(1Sa 23:17)
And he said unto him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.



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