Jonathan and David, a Very Special FriendshipNäide

Jonathan and David became friends

“The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1)

With poetic words, the story describes how Jonathan and David became friends. Their souls were “knit together”. That this description is no exaggeration is shown in the following verses. Jonathan gave David his robe, sword, bow and belt. This was a great gift, for in previous chapters we have read that only Saul and Jonathan had good weapons. Moreover, these clothes and weapons were a sign of Jonathan's dignity as crown prince. By giving them to David, Jonathan was showing respect and self-denial.

Jonathan's attitude becomes even more striking if we compare his behavior with that of his father Saul. Indeed, the latter became increasingly jealous as David became more successful. Saul noticed that “the LORD was with David” and that made him afraid and angry. He tried several times to kill David, without success.

Jonathan consciously chose to see David not as a rival, but as a friend. This allowed him to rejoice in David's successes - unlike Saul, who thought only of his own position and was consumed by jealousy and anger.

Suppose your friend is more successful than you and gets opportunities that you would have liked too. Would that pose a problem for your friendship, or can you be happy for that person?