Walk Through Scripture | 1 Samuel 18

We’re now in the second half of 1 Samuel. We’ve read the stories of rise of Samuel and Saul. You watched the mistakes of Saul. In just the last chapter, we were introduced to the great Israeli king, David. David isn’t king yet, and in this chapter we David finds a champion in the most unlikeliest of places — Saul’s son, Jonathan!

Start by reading 1 Samuel 18 for yourself, take notes, and compare what you hear from God with what I see and hear. The Bible is alive and active. You and I may not see the same things. And if you’ve missed any of the past posts of earlier chapters, you can find them all HERE.

Now let’s get to it.

A Friend Closer than a Brother

The kingdom of Israel won’t be Saul’s to pass on to his family. God has made it clear Saul is no longer to be king, and now a challenger to the throne appear in David. Saul spends this entire chapter attempting to rid himself of the challenger in both subtle and not so subtle ways, but I’m intrigued by the opening lines.

 “After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.

And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.” ‬

1 Samuel‬ ‭18:1, 3-4

By all accounts, Jonathan would have made a great king, better than his father. This chapter is a great example of Jonathan’s character. Jonathan knew of his father’s jealousy, and why he was jealous of David. Yet Jonathan chose to be a true friend to David.

I wonder if it was Solomon who wrote Proverbs 18:24 after hearing stories from his father about the amazing friend Jonathan was.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jonathan’s friendship was invaluable to David as time moves on in this story. David didn’t have many people he could trust‬‬, but Jonathan was always one of them.

Do you have this type of friend? Who do you trust like a brother? Do you have someone to confide in?

As a leader (parent, teacher, manager, boss, owner, pastor), it’s one of the most important things you can have – a true friend. 

If you don’t have one (or feel that way), ask God to send you a Jonathan. Ask for a friend you can trust no matter the circumstances.