Picture a solitary military outpost overlooking an arid and craggy landscape. The Philistine soldiers posted there have found something of interest in the monotonous view: Two men, Israelites, are standing in plain sight across the ravine. The soldiers are amused—they see no threat there. The Philistines have long dominated the Israelites, who cannot even get their metal farm implements sharpened without going to their Philistine enemies for help. Israelite soldiers are thus poorly armed. Furthermore, these are only two men! Even if they were armed warriors, what harm could they possibly do? Sneering, the Philistines call out: “Come up to us, and we will teach you a lesson!”​—1 Samuel 13:19-​23; 14:11, 12.

In fact, a lesson was in the making, but those Philistines would find themselves on the receiving end of it. The two Israelites ran down the ravine, crossed it, and then began climbing up the near side. It was so steep that they had to use their hands and feet, but they kept coming, scrambling over the rocks, heading straight toward the outpost! (1 Samuel 14:13) The Philistines could now see that the man taking the lead was armed; his armor-bearer followed. But was he actually leading a two-man attack on an entire garrison? Was the man mad?

He was not mad; he was a man of great faith. His name was Jonathan, and his story is alive with lessons for true Christians today. Though we do not engage in physical warfare, we can learn a great deal from Jonathan about the courage, loyalty, and selflessness that we need in order to build genuine faith.​—Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 26:51, 52.

Loyal Son and Brave Soldier

To understand why Jonathan charged against that outpost, we need to look at his background. Jonathan was the eldest son of Saul, the first king of Israel. When Saul was anointed as king, Jonathan was already a man, perhaps 20 years of age or even older. It seems that Jonathan maintained a close bond with his father, who would often confide in his son. In those early days, Jonathan knew his father not only as a tall, handsome man and courageous warrior but also as something much more important​—a man of faith and humility. Jonathan could see why Jehovah chose Saul to be king. Even the prophet Samuel said that there was no one like Saul in the land!​—1 Samuel 9:​1, 2, 21; 10:20-​24; 20:2.

Jonathan must have felt honored to fight under his father’s command against the enemies of Jehovah’s people. Those wars were not like the nationalistic clashes of today. Back then, Jehovah chose the nation of Israel to represent him, and it was under constant attack by nations that worshipped false gods. The Philistines, corrupted by the worship of such gods as Dagon, often tried to oppress or even destroy Jehovah’s chosen people.

For men like Jonathan, then, fighting was a matter of loyal service to Jehovah God. And Jehovah blessed Jonathan’s efforts. Soon after Saul became king, he appointed his son to command 1,000 soldiers, and Jonathan led them to attack a Philistine garrison at Geba. Poorly armed though his men were, with Jehovah’s help Jonathan won the day. In response, however, the Philistines amassed a huge force. Many of Saul’s soldiers were terrified. Some ran off and hid, and a few even switched sides! But Jonathan’s courage never faded.​—1 Samuel 13:​2-7; 14:21.

On the day described at the outset, Jonathan decided to slip away with only his armor-bearer at his side. As they approached the Philistine outpost at Michmash, Jonathan revealed his plan to his armor-bearer. They would show themselves plainly to the Philistine soldiers up there. If the Philistines challenged the two of them to come on up against them, this would be a sign that Jehovah would help his servants. The armor-bearer readily agreed, perhaps moved by Jonathan’s powerful words: “Nothing can hinder Jehovah from saving by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:​6-​10) What did he mean?

Jonathan evidently knew his God well. He no doubt knew that in the past, Jehovah had helped his people defeat enemies who vastly outnumbered them. Sometimes He had even used a single individual to bring victory. (Judges 3:​31; 4:​1-​23; 16:23-​30) So Jonathan knew that it was neither the numbers nor the strength nor the weaponry of God’s servants that mattered; it was their faith. In faith, then, Jonathan let Jehovah determine whether he and his armor-bearer should attack the outpost; he chose a sign by which Jehovah could signal approval. With that approval secured, Jonathan fearlessly forged ahead.

Note two facets of Jonathan’s faith. First, he had profound awe for his God, Jehovah. He knew that God Almighty does not depend on human strength in order to accomplish his purposes, yet Jehovah delights in blessing faithful humans who serve him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) Second, Jonathan sought evidence of Jehovah’s approval before he took action. Today, we do not seek supernatural signs from our God in order to verify that he approves of our course of action. With the entire inspired Word of God at hand, we have all we need in order to discern God’s will. (2 Timothy 3:​16, 17) Do we consult the Bible carefully before making important decisions? If so, we show that we care about God’s will more than our own​—much like Jonathan.

So the two men, warrior and armor-bearer, charged up the steep slope toward the outpost. The Philistines, finally realizing that they were under attack, sent men out to fight off the two invaders. The Philistines had not only the superior numbers but also the advantage of holding the higher ground, so they should have been able to make short work of two attackers. But Jonathan struck down one soldier after another. Behind him, the armor-bearer put them to death. In just a small patch of ground, the two men dispatched 20 enemy soldiers! And Jehovah did something further. We read: “Then terror spread in the field camp and among all the people of the outpost, and even the raiding parties were terrified. The earth began quaking, and a terror from God ensued.”​—1 Samuel 14:15.

From a distance, Saul and his men watched as chaos and panic spread among the Philistines, who even began to turn against one another! (1 Samuel 14:16, 20) The Israelites took courage and attacked, perhaps taking weapons from the fallen Philistines. Jehovah gave his people a great victory that day. And he has not changed since those exciting times. If we today put faith in him, as did Jonathan and his unnamed armor-bearer, we will never have reason to regret our choice.​—Malachi 3:6; Romans 10:11.

“It Was With God That He Acted”

For Saul, that victory did not turn out as well as it did for Jonathan. Saul had made some grave mistakes. He disobeyed Jehovah’s appointed prophet Samuel by offering a sacrifice that the prophet, who was also a Levite, was supposed to offer. When Samuel arrived, he told Saul that because of such disobedience, his kingdom would not last. Then, when Saul sent his men into battle, he first put them under an ill-advised oath: “Cursed is the man who eats any food before the evening and until I have taken vengeance on my enemies!”​—1 Samuel 13:10-​14; 14:24.

Saul’s words hint at a sad change in the man. Was the humble, spiritual man becoming an ambitious egotist? After all, Jehovah never directed that such an unreasonable restriction be put on those brave, hardworking soldiers. And what about Saul’s words “until I have taken vengeance on my enemies”​—do they suggest that Saul thought that this war was all about him? Was he forgetting that it was Jehovah’s justice that mattered and not Saul’s hunger for vengeance, glory, or conquest?

Jonathan knew nothing about his father’s ill-conceived oath. Exhausted from the heated battle, he dipped his staff into a honeycomb and tasted some honey; he immediately felt his strength revive. Then one of his men told him about his father’s prohibition against eating. Jonathan responded: “My father has brought great trouble on the land. Look at how my eyes brightened because I tasted this little bit of honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today from the spoil of their enemies that they found! For then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been even greater.” (1 Samuel 14:25-30) He was right. Jonathan was a loyal son, but his loyalty was not blind. He did not mindlessly agree with everything his father did or said, and that balanced view earned the respect of others.

When Saul learned that Jonathan had violated the ban, he still refused to see the folly of his command. Instead, he actually believed that his own son should be put to death! Jonathan did not argue or beg for mercy. Note his remarkable reply. He selflessly said: “Here I am! I am ready to die!” However, the Israelites spoke up: “Should Jonathan die​—the one who brought this great victory to Israel? It is unthinkable! As surely as Jehovah is alive, not even a single hair of his head should fall to the ground, for it was with God that he acted this day.” The result? Saul gave in to reason. The account says: “With that the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.”​—1 Samuel 14:43-​45.

Through his courage, hard work, and selfless spirit, Jonathan had built a good reputation. When he was in danger, his reputation came to his aid. We do well to contemplate the name, or reputation, that we are making for ourselves day by day. The Bible tells us that a good name is very precious. (Ecclesiastes 7:1) If, like Jonathan, we take care to make a good name with Jehovah, our reputation will be a great treasure.

A Growing Darkness

Despite Saul’s faults, Jonathan kept fighting loyally at his father’s side through the years. We can only imagine his dismay as he saw his father develop a disobedient and proud spirit. A darkness was growing in his father, and Jonathan was powerless to stop it.

The problem came to a head when Jehovah assigned Saul to wage war against the Amalekites, a people so immersed in wickedness that back in Moses’ day, Jehovah had foretold the destruction of the entire nation. (Exodus 17:14) Saul was told to destroy all their livestock and to execute their king, Agag. Saul won the battle, no doubt with Jonathan fighting bravely under his father’s command as usual. But Saul flagrantly disobeyed Jehovah, sparing Agag and keeping the wealth, the livestock, intact. The prophet Samuel pronounced Jehovah’s final judgment on Saul: “Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has rejected you from being king.”​—1 Samuel 15:​2, 3, 9, 10, 23.

It was not long thereafter that Jehovah withdrew his holy spirit from Saul. Without Jehovah’s loving influence, Saul was subject to wild mood swings, fits of temper, and overwhelming fears. It was as if a bad spirit from God had replaced the good one. (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10-​12) How it must have distressed Jonathan to see his once noble father so terribly changed! Nonetheless, Jonathan never swerved from his loyal service to Jehovah. He supported his father as best he could, even speaking to him quite frankly at times, but he kept his focus on his unchanging God and Father, Jehovah.​—1 Samuel 19:​4, 5.

Have you ever watched someone you love, perhaps a close family member, change drastically for the worse? It can be a profoundly painful experience. Jonathan’s example reminds us of what the psalmist later wrote: “Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in.” (Psalm 27:10) Jehovah is loyal. He will take you in too and be the best Father imaginable, no matter what imperfect humans may do to disappoint you or let you down.

Jonathan likely learned that Jehovah intended to take the kingship away from Saul. How did Jonathan react? Did he ever wonder what kind of ruler he might prove to be? Did he cherish hopes of righting some of his father’s wrongs, setting a better example as a loyal and obedient king? We do not know his inner thoughts; we only know that any such hopes were never to be realized. Does this mean that Jehovah abandoned that faithful man? On the contrary, he used Jonathan to set one of the greatest examples of loyal friendship contained in the entire Bible record! That friendship will be the focus of a further article on Jonathan.

The battle was over, and quiet descended over the Valley of Elah. As the tents of the army encampment rustled in the afternoon breeze, King Saul held an audience. His eldest son, Jonathan, was in attendance, and a youthful shepherd was excitedly recounting his tale. The youth was David, and he was full of zeal and enthusiasm. Saul listened with rapt attention, hanging on to David’s every word. How, though, did Jonathan feel? He had won victories in his long career of serving in Jehovah’s army. But today’s victory did not belong to Jonathan; it belonged to this youth. David had killed the giant Goliath! Was Jonathan jealous of the glory being heaped on David?

Jonathan’s reaction might surprise you. We read: “As soon as David had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship, and Jonathan began to love him as himself.” Jonathan gave David his own fighting gear, including his bow​—quite a gift, for Jonathan was a renowned archer. What is more, Jonathan and David made a covenant, a solemn agreement, that bound them together as friends who would support each other.​—1 Samuel 18:​1-5.

Thus began one of the greatest friendships described in the Bible. Friendship is important to people of faith. If we choose friends wisely and become a supportive, loyal friend, we can strengthen our faith during these unloving times. (Proverbs 27:17) So let us see what we can learn about friendship from Jonathan.

The Foundation of Friendship

How could such a friendship form so quickly? The answer has to do with the basis for that friendship. Consider some background. Jonathan was living through a difficult time. His father, King Saul, had been changing over the years, and ever for the worse. Once a humble, obedient man of faith, Saul had become an arrogant, disobedient king.​—1 Samuel 15:17-​19, 26.

The changes in Saul must have troubled Jonathan deeply, for he was close to his father. (1 Samuel 20:2) Jonathan likely wondered what harm Saul could bring on Jehovah’s chosen nation. Might the king’s disobedience lead his subjects astray and cost them Jehovah’s favor? Without a doubt, those were hard times for a man of faith like Jonathan.

That background may help us to understand what drew Jonathan to young David. Jonathan saw David’s great faith. Remember, unlike those in Saul’s army, David was undaunted by Goliath’s colossal size. He reasoned that going into battle bearing Jehovah’s name made him more powerful than Goliath with all his weaponry.​—1 Samuel 17:45-​47.

Years earlier, Jonathan had reasoned similarly. He was sure that two men​—he and his armor-bearer​—could attack and defeat an entire garrison of armed soldiers. Why? “Nothing can hinder Jehovah,” Jonathan said. (1 Samuel 14:6) So Jonathan and David had much in common: strong faith in Jehovah and deep love for him. That was the ideal basis for friendship between the two men. Even though Jonathan was a mighty prince and nearing 50 years of age, while David was a humble shepherd and likely not yet 20 years old, those differences between them did not matter.a

The covenant they made was a real protection for their friendship. How so? You see, David knew what Jehovah had in store for him: He was to become the next king of Israel! Did he withhold that knowledge from Jonathan? Hardly! A good friendship such as theirs thrives on open communication, not on secrets and lies. How might learning of David’s prospects have affected Jonathan? What if Jonathan had cherished a hope of becoming king one day and righting his father’s wrongs? The Bible tells us nothing about any internal struggle Jonathan may have had; it tells only of what truly matters, Jonathan’s loyalty and his faith. He could see that Jehovah’s spirit was with David. (1 Samuel 16:​1, 11-​13) So Jonathan fulfilled his oath and continued to view David, not as his rival, but as his friend. Jonathan wanted to see Jehovah’s will done.

That friendship turned out to be a great blessing. What can we learn from Jonathan’s faith? Any servant of God does well to see the value of friendship. Our friends need not match our age or background, but they can do us enormous good if they have genuine faith. Jonathan and David were able to strengthen and encourage each other many times. And they would both need such help, for their friendship was about to face even greater tests.

The Challenge of Conflicting Loyalties

At first, Saul was very fond of David and placed him in charge of his army. Before long, though, Saul fell victim to the very enemy that failed to conquer Jonathan​—jealousy. David met with victory after victory against Israel’s enemies, the Philistines. David thus won praise and admiration. Some women of Israel even sang: “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul did not like that song. “From that day on,” we read, “Saul was always looking at David suspiciously.” (1 Samuel 18:7, 9) He feared that David would try to take the kingship away from him. That was foolish on Saul’s part. True, David knew that he was to succeed Saul, but he never even considered supplanting Jehovah’s anointed king while the man still reigned!

Saul schemed to get David killed in battle, but nothing worked. David kept winning battles and growing in the esteem of the people. Saul’s next move was to try to unite his household​—all his servants and his eldest son​—in a plot to kill David! Imagine how sick at heart Jonathan must have been to see his father act that way! (1 Samuel 18:25-​30; 19:1) Jonathan was a loyal son, but he was also a loyal friend. Now that those two loyalties seemed to be in conflict, which one would win out?

Jonathan spoke up: “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you and what he has done for you has benefited you. He risked his life to strike down the Philistine, so that Jehovah brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and you were overjoyed. So why should you sin against innocent blood in having David put to death for no reason?” In a rare moment of reasonableness, Saul listened to Jonathan and even swore not to harm David. But Saul was not a man of his word. After David had more successes, Saul was so full of jealous rage that he hurled a spear at him! (1 Samuel 19:​4-6, 9, 10) But David escaped and fled Saul’s court.

Have you ever faced conflicting loyalties? It can be very painful. In such situations, some would advise you that family should always come first. But Jonathan knew better. How could he side with his father when David was a loyal, obedient servant of Jehovah? So Jonathan let his loyalty to Jehovah rule his decision. That was why he stood up for David. Still, although Jonathan’s loyalty to God came first, he proved loyal to his father by counseling him honestly instead of telling him what he wanted to hear. Each one of us would benefit by imitating the way Jonathan showed loyalty.

The Price of Loyalty

Jonathan tried again to reconcile Saul with David but he had even less success. David came to Jonathan in secret, revealing that he feared for his own life. “There is only a step between me and death!” he told his older friend. Jonathan agreed to test out his father’s feelings on the matter and to let David know where things stood. While David hid, Jonathan would signal him the news by using a bow and arrows. Jonathan asked only that David swear to this promise: “Never withdraw your loyal love from my household, even when Jehovah wipes out all the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” David agreed that he would always look out for those of Jonathan’s household.​—1 Samuel 20:​3, 13-​27.

Jonathan tried to speak well of David to Saul, but the king became enraged! He called Jonathan a “son of a rebellious woman” and derided his loyalty to David as shameful to the family. He tried to appeal to Jonathan’s self-interest: “As long as the son of Jesse is alive on the earth, you and your kingship will not be firmly established.” Unmoved, Jonathan again pleaded with his father: “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Saul exploded in violence! Though aged, Saul was still a mighty warrior. He hurled a spear at his son! Practiced though he may have been, he missed. Deeply hurt and humiliated, Jonathan left in anger.​—1 Samuel 20:24-​34.

The next morning, Jonathan went out into the field near David’s hiding place. He fired off an arrow as agreed, letting David know that Saul was still intent on killing him. Then Jonathan sent his attendant back into the city. He and David were alone, so they had a fleeting chance to talk. Both men wept, and Jonathan sadly saw his young friend off as David started his new life as a refugee.​—1 Samuel 20:35-​42.

Jonathan’s loyalty passed the test of self-interest. Satan, the enemy of all faithful people, would surely have loved to see Jonathan follow in Saul’s steps and put his own ambitions for power or glory first. Remember, Satan loves to appeal to the selfish inclinations of humans. He succeeded with Adam and Eve, our first parents. (Genesis 3:​1-6) Yet, he failed with Jonathan. How frustrated Satan must have been! Will you resist similar attempts? We live in times when selfishness is epidemic. (2 Timothy 3:​1-5) Will we learn from Jonathan’s selfless, loyal spirit?

“You Were Very Dear to Me”

Saul’s hatred for David grew into an obsession. Jonathan was helpless as he watched his father descend into a kind of madness, amassing his army and leading it around the country, seeking to destroy one innocent man. (1 Samuel 24:​1, 2, 12-​15; 26:20) Did Jonathan take part? Interestingly, the Scriptures never mention him in connection with any of those misguided campaigns. Jonathan’s loyalty to Jehovah, to David, and to his own oath of friendship made such a thing impossible.

His feelings for his young friend never changed. In time, he found a way to meet David again. It was in Horesh, which means “Wooded Place.” Horesh was in a wild, mountainous region likely a few miles southeast of Hebron. Why did Jonathan risk going out to see this fugitive? The Bible tells us that his motive was to help David “find strength in Jehovah.” (1 Samuel 23:16) How did Jonathan do so?

“Do not be afraid,” Jonathan told his young friend. He added this reassurance: “My father Saul will not find you.” On what was that reassurance based? On Jonathan’s deep faith that Jehovah’s purpose would succeed. He went on: “You will be king over Israel.” The prophet Samuel had been commissioned to say that years earlier, and Jonathan now reminded David that Jehovah’s word is always reliable. And how did Jonathan see his own future? “I will become second to you.” What priceless humility the man showed! He would be content to serve under the command of this man who was 30 years his junior, to serve as his supportive right hand! Jonathan concluded: “My father Saul also knows that.” (1 Samuel 23:17, 18) In his heart, Saul knew that he was doomed to lose his fight against the man Jehovah had chosen to be the next king!

In the years that followed, David surely looked back often and fondly on that meeting. It was their last. Sadly, Jonathan’s hope to become second to David was never realized.

Jonathan went to battle at his father’s side against the Philistines, avowed enemies of Israel. He could fight alongside his father in good conscience, for he did not let his father’s wrongs get in the way of his own service to Jehovah. He fought bravely and loyally as he always had, but the battle still went badly for Israel. Saul’s wickedness had extended even to spiritism, a capital offense under God’s Law, so Jehovah was no longer blessing Saul. Three of Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, were killed in battle. Saul was wounded and took his own life.​—1 Samuel 28:​6-​14; 31:​2-6.

David was stricken with grief. That bighearted man even grieved for Saul, who had caused him so much misery and hardship! David wrote a dirge over Saul and Jonathan. Perhaps the most touching words relate to David’s beloved mentor and friend: “I am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me. More wonderful was your love to me than the love of women.”​—2 Samuel 1:​26.

David never forgot his vow to Jonathan. Years later he sought out and took care of Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9:​1-​13) Clearly, David had learned much from Jonathan’s loyalty and honor and his willingness to stick loyally to a friend even when such loyalty came at a high price. Will we learn such lessons as well? Can we seek out friends like Jonathan? Can we show such friendship ourselves? If we help our friends to build and strengthen their faith in Jehovah, if we put our loyalty to God first, and if we remain loyal instead of seeking our own interests, we will be the kind of friend that Jonathan was. And we will imitate his faith.