His Loyalty Called for Courage

TWO men, both of them armed, climbed swiftly up a steep, rocky incline. They were attacking an entire garrison of Philistine soldiers. In the lead was Jonathan, the son of Israel’s first king, Saul. Following Jonathan was his brave armor-bearer, who had been spurred on by Jonathan’s words: “Nothing can hinder Jehovah from saving by many or by few.” Jehovah soon proved Jonathan right​—those 2 men struck down about 20 soldiers! And that paved the way for an even greater victory for God’s people.

On its own, that account marks Jonathan as a man of outstanding courage. But he showed that quality many times in his life. He was a profoundly loyal man, and loyalty often calls for courage. Jonathan was a loyal son to Saul, but in time Saul went bad, turning disobedient to Jehovah. Jonathan needed courage to put his loyalty to Jehovah first.

Decades later, when Jonathan was likely nearing 50 years of age, he befriended young David. That youth had just killed the Philistine giant Goliath. No doubt, Saul and all the people heaped praise on David. How did Jonathan feel? He showed not a trace of jealousy. On the contrary, he gave his own fighting gear to David, including his bow. That was a remarkable gift, for it seems that Jonathan was a renowned archer. Though Jonathan was some 30 years older than David, they made a vow of friendship that neither man ever broke.

Saul too loved David at first. Soon, though, his love withered and turned to bitter jealousy. He expected Jonathan to follow suit. But Jonathan remained David’s loyal friend, even though Jehovah had selected David to be Israel’s next king instead of him. When Saul said that he intended to put David to death, Jonathan stood up for his friend. That took great courage. Though Saul was advanced in years, he was still a mighty warrior. Once when Jonathan came to his friend’s defense, Saul hurled a spear at him, his own son! The king missed his target, but Jonathan felt deeply hurt nonetheless. He loyally went to David and told him of Saul’s murderous intentions. Jonathan also entrusted the care of his own family to David should the need ever arise.

Saul forced David to become a fugitive. The king even used his army to chase David, forcing him to flee from one hiding place to another. Did Jonathan join in those military campaigns? The Bible never mentions such a thing, and it seems highly improbable. On one occasion, Jonathan learned where David was hiding, and he went to see his friend. Why? We read that Jonathan “helped him find strength in Jehovah.” He told David: “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will not find you; you will be king over Israel, and I will become second to you.” The two friends then parted; it was the last time they met.

Not long afterward, Jonathan was fighting loyally at his father’s side against the real enemy, an army of Philistines. But Saul had become a wicked apostate by this time, even resorting to spiritism. Jehovah’s blessing was not with Saul. The king was wounded, and then he killed himself. Three of his sons, including Jonathan, died in battle that day.

David was grief-stricken. He composed a dirge to express his mourning and his love for his dear friend. He called it “The Bow,” possibly in honor of the gift Jonathan had given him years earlier. “I am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me,” David wrote. He honored his vow to his fallen friend. After David became king, he searched out any of Jonathan’s relatives and he found a crippled son. David took that son, Mephibosheth, to live nearby in Jerusalem and cared for him from then on.

Read the Bible account:

• 1 Samuel 13:2, 19-23; 14:1-15; 16:21; 18:1-9; 19:4-6; 20:1-42; 23:16-18; 28:6-8; 31:1-6

• 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 9:1-7

For discussion:

In what ways did Jonathan show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. Who were the Philistines? (w95 2/1 31)

   Your answer

2. 2. How does the word “pim” testify to the accuracy of this account? (w05 3/15 29) A

   Your answer

   

Todd Bolen/​BiblePlaces.com

1. 4. To what extent did David go to keep his promise to care for Jonathan’s family? (it “Mephibosheth” No. 2 ¶1)

   Your answer

Reflect on the Lessons

• Jonathan put his loyalty to Jehovah ahead of his loyalty to Saul. In what situations might we face a similar conflict of loyalties? C

  Your answer

  

• What does Jonathan’s relationship with David teach you about . . .

  • friendship?

    Your answer

  • humility?

    Your answer

  • loyalty?

    Your answer

• In what other ways might you imitate the courage of Jonathan?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• What would I like to ask Jonathan in the resurrection?

  Your answer

Learn More

What made Jonathan and David such close friends, and how can we enjoy similar friendships today?

“Keep Cultivating Tender Affection” (w21.01 20-25)

Help your children to understand events and lessons from the life of Jonathan.

“Jonathan” (Web Bible character card)