Jonathan: 1 Samuel 18 v 1-4; 23 v 15-18 ; 2 Sam 1 v 26: ‘You were very dear to me’
The nature of the relationship between David and Jonathan has been the subject of much speculation. The statement that Jonathan ‘became one in spirit with David, and loved him as himself (1 Sam 18 v 1) and David’s words, in his lament for Jonathan following his death in battle, testifying to a love that was, ‘more wonderful than that of women’ (2 Sam 1 v 26) have led some, but not all, to conclude that their relationship was more than platonic being, in reality, a consummated same-sex relationship. Various aspects of the text have been adduced by commentators on either side of the debate and the reality is that it isn’t clear one way or the other. What we can say without doubt was that there was a powerful bond between them that, whatever its precise nature, remains a beautiful example of love and loyalty between two people of the same sex.
Given the context, their friendship was an unlikely one. One might have expected Jonathan, as the eldest son of Saul and therefore next in line to the throne, to have seen David, especially after his spectacular triumph over Goliath, as a major threat; an upstart with every chance of supplanting him as the heir apparent. As it happens that is exactly how his father King Saul viewed David. Yet Jonathan’s act of divesting himself of his military uniform and handing it to David (1 Sam 18 v 4) and his explicit statement to his soul mate that, ‘I will be second to you’ (23 v 17) suggest that he saw David as the man to lead the nation and was more than happy to accept a demotion.
There’s a resonance here with John the Baptist. When Jesus appeared at the River Jordan with a request for baptism, he was completely unknown whilst John, the greatest preacher of his day attracted thousands of people who came out into the desert to hang on his every word. Yet John intuitively recognised Jesus as the one, ‘whose sandals I am not fit to carry’ (Mat 3 v 11). Here was somebody who hadn’t let it all go to his head and who understood that his role was to support rather than to be the main attraction.
Our contemporary world could do with a few more Jonathans (and a few more John the Baptists, come to think of it)! Modern culture has become celebrity obsessed to an unhealthy degree as fame and wealth are sought after as the way to a happy, fulfilled and significant life; one that gives you apparent significance. The Hollywood actor Denzel Washington wrote of his successful career, ‘Success? I don’t know what that word means. I’m happy. But success, that goes back to what in somebody’s eyes success means. For me, success is inner peace. That’s a good day for me’. Washington is reflecting on what is most important in his life and for him being a successful human being is much more about the disposition of his soul than fame or the number of people who went to see his latest film.
Jonathan comes across as somebody who cared little for status and the trappings of power and was very happy to give way to David and do without them. What does this have to say to the person who didn’t get that promotion at work they wanted or to those, in whatever walk of life, need to feel that they are in charge. The humble ability not to be endlessly self-promoting, to be happy not being number one, is critical in every part of society including in the life of Christian communities. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul encourages his friends to, ‘Do nothing out of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil 2 v 3-4). This is actually quite hard to do as we are all subject to a very human tendency to see the world as revolving around ourselves and our interests, something that the culture we live in greatly encourages.
Being a Christian is not just about filling our own lives with meaning, although that is certainly part of it. It is also about taking up the cross and following Jesus. Jonathan’s apparent willingness to hand over all the symbols of his status as next in line to the throne (robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt) to David is an encouragement for us to sit very light to those things which may appear to give us status including the size of our house, car and bank balance; our seniority at work, at the club or at church and the temptation to look down on those we feel to be less clever or able than ourselves.
Jonathan was clearly both loyal and humble. The covenant he made with David was one in which he gave away the political power he had been brought up to understand belonged only to him. He was a steadfast, reliable and loving friend who cared less for himself and more for others. Jesus himself was the divine Son of God who, as Paul puts it, ‘…made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (Phil 2 v 7) and in doing so gives us an example to follow. His temptations in the wilderness focused in turn on using his divine power to meet his own needs, making himself invulnerable and grabbing power. He rejects all three and chooses the road of humble service; a decision that will take him all the way to the cross.
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter whether we are top of the class, head of the department, chairperson of the society or running that project at church. None of those, of course, are bad things in themselves as such but they are not meant to define us. It is being made in the image of God that does that. It is in embracing this fundamental truth about ourselves that, wherever we stand on the greasy pole, we become truth bearers and truth sharers.
Questions: Why is friendship so important? In a society so concerned about status, how can we practice humility?
Prayer: Lord, as we reflect on Jonathan’s loyalty and humility, help us to see others as better than ourselves and to take the opportunities we have to serve. Amen.