1 Samuel 18:1

Up to this point Jonathan was a young man strong in faith, who had fought the enemy. Now he goes further. When he hears David speak, his soul is bound up with David's soul. He values the moral beauty stamped on David's words more than his own outward advantages. He finds in David a soul to which his own soul answers. All at once a special bond of love and fellowship grows between them, and the charm of David's words produced it.

The challenge of the giant, repeated day after day, had exposed how poor Israel was. The eye might have searched up and down the ranks for someone able to meet the urgent need, but in vain... That solemn occasion left a terrible emptiness in the heart. Then a beloved one appeared to fill it. No wonder Jonathan's whole soul went out in genuine affection for him. And remember, it was David himself, and not only his work, that touched Jonathan's heart. He admired his victory, yes, but his person more. It is worth noticing this, and tracing its striking application to the true David.

The Spirit of God produced this fruit in Jonathan. Those who suppose it was only a question of personal affection are badly mistaken. That was there. But Jonathan was a man of faith, and no affection has the character, power, or permanence of affection driven by faith.

Like faith, like confidence, in the living God caused free love, mutual love, to flow out of their hearts... It was not a mere matter of sentiment or an impulsive movement of the natural heart: it was a bond in the Lord.

In the Scriptures the words "soul" and "life" often mean almost the same thing. Here is Jonathan, whose very life was knitted to the life of David. As we enjoy what He has done, may our hearts also be filled with the knowledge of Who He is. Then each of us can come together, having known all week the blessedness of a life bound up with the life of our blessed Lord.

Jonathan looked at David with the marks of victory on him, the head of the Philistine in his hand. He said, in effect, "There is my saviour"... His whole heart was knit to the heart of David. And not only that: he strips himself. He takes what marks him out as a warrior, and puts it on David. There is nothing too much to give to David. Yet notice this: he did not give himself. He gave his possessions, but he kept back himself. Think what he kept back! ... God measures everything that is given not by what is given, but by what is kept back.

Jonathan was Saul's heir, but he knew David would be king. He was ready to take second place in the kingdom. He spoke well of David to his father, even though it made his father angry. He was angry himself when he saw his father's evil attitude towards David. Jonathan's love for David was great, and so was his devotion to him. But one thing was lacking: he was not ready for the place of rejection. He preferred Saul's palace to the cave of Adullam with David.