What does it mean to really love a friend? As we saw yesterday, true love means more than just warm feelings toward others, or even wishing that good things would happen to them. True love is willing to do whatever it takes to bless the beloved, regardless of the cost to the self.
That was certainly the case for Jonathan. Like his sister Michal, he knew that his father had a tendency to lose his temper, even to make bad decisions. He was well aware of the possibility that King Saul might really want to kill David – that’s why in verse 12 he was determined to find out what his father was really thinking. But at the same time Jonathan knew that David hadn’t done anything to deserve death. And so he refused to let his kinship with Saul override his love for his friend. That’s why he swore to tip David off to Saul’s intentions, even if that meant his friend would escape from his father.
But this love came at a great price for Jonathan. Because his father was the king, Jonathan could have expected to reign over Israel when Saul eventually died. Thus, it would have been in Jonathan’s best interest for his father to put David out of the way. Instead, in verses 14-16, he affirms his faith in God’s call on David’s life, confessing that David would be the next king of Israel. In short, Jonathan was willing to give up his crown in obedience to God and because of his love for his friend.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jonathan gave up a kingdom for David. Jesus gave up His life for us. What will we give up for our friends today?
I Samuel 20:12-17 (ESV)
12 And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you?
13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father.
14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die;
15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.”
17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
