The Way
Jonathan's Covenant
A friend he loved as his own life
Story
The boy stood before Saul with the giant's head in his hand. Wanting to know which house should receive the promised reward, Saul asked, “Young man, whose son are you?” David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” By the time that short answer was over, the prince Jonathan, who had been watching nearby, found his heart bound fast to David's. Jonathan loved him as his own life.
That day Saul took David and would not let him go back to his father's house. Jonathan made a covenant with David. He took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow and even his belt. One by one, the king's son handed what he had to a shepherd from the fields.
Wherever Saul sent him, David went and succeeded wisely. Saul set him over the soldiers. All the people thought well of him, and so did Saul's officials. In the palace at Gibeah, one the son of a king and the other the son of a shepherd, the two stood side by side within one covenant.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.
Young man, whose son are you?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Sam 18:1–5
Background
In the ancient Near East, handing over one's robe and weapons was a sign of sharing one's own place and portion. Jonathan was the prince in line for the throne, and also the warrior who broke the Philistine camp at Michmash in 1 Samuel 14.
Pause and Reflect
Can I truly bless someone who is getting ahead of me?