Jonathan Lived a Life

One lesson we might take this morning from Jonathan is his devotion to David.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.(1 Sam 18:3)

Now that is loving your neighbor as your self. In searching through 1 Samuel, I don't see where Jonathan gave in to envy of his friend David. Certainly the stories of Jonathan's military adventures show a man who could have led his nation as a military king. Jonathan might have insisted on a dynasty such as the pagan nations did and claimed the kingdom on the basis of inheritance, but he did not. Jonathan might have fostered bitterness in his heart and learned to hate David, but he devoted himself to God's anointed king even to the point of standing against his father, the current king. We may face a similar choice in this age.

Jonathan showed character that can only come from God's influence on his life. Many years later, the princes of Israel would not choose God and their sins were many. The prophet Ezekiel pointed this out as a messenger from God. A man of Jonathan's devotion and godly character might have done much to avert the destruction of Israel. We don't get those might-have-been's though. Jonathan lived a life when he did and was greatly beloved by the man who would become king after Jonathan's father fell. Like we do today, Jonathan chose God and His anointed one over what the world had to offer him. For we too have an anointed one to chose. Chose life; chose Christ!

I may not be king, but I can be His!
Bucky