Friends and Enemies

By Danny Saavedra

“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’ Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.”—1 Samuel 18:1–9 (NIV)

Some say, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." In 1 Samuel 18, we see both in David’s life—Jonathan as a faithful friend and Saul as a jealous enemy. The difference between them is clear: one trusted in God, the other trusted in himself.

Idolatry: The Ancestor of Every Other Sin

Saul was king, but his heart wasn’t secure in God. His identity, security, and worth came from his title and reputation. He had made an idol out of himself and his position, out of the praise of man. So, when the people sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,”it exposed what was in Saul’s heart—he was his own god, his own idol and so pride, insecurity, and fear of losing his throne dominated him.

Rather than repenting and trusting God, Saul clung to power. He saw David’s success as a threat instead of evidence of God’s hand at work. Self-idolatry and pride made him paranoid, angry, and ultimately distant from the Lord. When we live for the world’s approval, we crumble when it’s given to someone else.

Man’s Praise vs. God’s Heart

Saul wasn’t walking closely with God, so his entire sense of worth depended on public approval. He had no peace because his confidence was in fading things—his title, status, the people’s cheers. The moment David was praised more, Saul unraveled.

In contrast, David had every reason to let pride take over. He was loved by the people, celebrated by the armies, and was gaining power fast. The enemy wanted to use this to destroy him, but instead, God used it to refine him. David stayed humble because his identity was in God. He was a man after God’s own heart, not a man after the hearts of mankind. David was not preeminent in David’s heart, God was!

Jonathan: The Friend We All Need

Now consider Jonathan, Saul’s son, who had every reason to be jealous of David. As the current rightful heir in earthly terms, he could have fought for the throne. Like his father, he could have seen David as his greatest threat. Instead, Jonathan surrendered his own ambition and honored God’s choice. He, too, was a man after God’s heart. This is why he and David had such a strong bond.

When we read that Jonathan removed his robe and armor and gave them to David, it may sound strange, but it was a powerful statement. He was essentially saying, “I know God has chosen you to be His anointed king. The armor and garment of the crown prince belongs to you!” Jonathan saw the Lord’s hand on David’s life and chose to submit to God’s will, even at personal cost. Because Jonathan trusted God and found his identity in Him, he could celebrate David’s calling instead of competing with it.

Jesus: The Greater Jonathan

As with everything in Scripture, Jonathan giving up his robes and armor point us to Jesus. But unlike Jonathan, Jesus surrendered far more than a royal robe and armor. Jesus, the true King, laid aside His glory to clothe us in righteousness.

In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we’re told, “Though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” In Isaiah 61:10 (NIV), “He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

How beautiful is this picture Jonathan and David gave us? Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Prince of peace gave up everything to give us everything. He humbled Himself to lift us up. And if we seek God with our heart like David did, He clothes us with His righteousness, He gives us the full armor of God, and He makes us rightful heirs of God!

Pause: Is there someone in your life whom you see God’s hand on them and their calling? Celebrate what God is doing in them today!

Practice: Today, follow the example of Jonathan and Jesus. Find someone to serve and honor above yourself today.

Pray: Father, what an amazing picture You have given me in Jonathan. What a beautiful reminder today of what Jesus gave up to restore and redeem me, to give me the right and privilege to be called Your child, to be able to call You Abba Father and have adoption to sonship. In light of this beautiful truth, help me to follow David’s example and live as a person after Your heart, and help me to follow Jonathan and Jesus’ example to be a true friend who serves and puts others first. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.