Benched and Dethroned

October 29, 2019

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh. 1 Samuel 23:16-18

One of the most fascinating and famous friendships in history is the one between David and Jonathan. Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul, in line for the throne when Saul died. He was a skilled and risk-taking warrior himself, first mentioned in 1 Samuel 13 where he defeated a garrison of Philistines at Geba. Later, in 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan and his armor bearer left Saul’s army at Geba where Saul was hiding, and captured the outpost at Michmash. The Israelites then attacked and defeated the Philistines. Saul then ordered a fast for one day, but Jonathan was unaware of the order and ate wild honey. When Saul requested information about the war from God and there was no answer, Saul blamed the silence on Jonathan’s breaking of the fast and ordered his own son killed. But Jonathan’s loyal soldiers rescued him.

After David killed Goliath and disobedient King Saul was suffering nightmares and great depression, he brought David into his household from the shepherd’s fields. Jonathan was not jealous when his dad’s reliance turned to David. They became great friends and won many victories together. David became the most popular man in the nation, but King Saul jealously turned against David. Jonathan attempted to reconcile them, but he was only briefly successful. Saul tried to enlist Jonathan’s aid to kill David, but Jonathan remained David’s friend and warned him of Saul’s anger so that David hid. Jonathan knew he had been replaced in the rights to the kingship by David, but he was neither resentful nor angry. When the two met for the last time in the Wilderness of Ziph, they planned together that David would be the next king of Israel and Jonathan would serve him. Jonathan was effectively dethroned by a rival most people would believe he had a right to hate and try to ruin. Most people would have considered themselves benched; out of the game. Not Jonathan. What integrity, loyalty, and humility! He saw himself as playing another significant role, and he trusted God to help him.

Interestingly, David become king when Saul, Jonathan, and Jonathan’s brothers were killed in a battle against the Philistines at Mt. Gilboa. David had their bodies rescued and lamented the deaths of Saul and Jonathan in a moving poem (2 Sam. 1:17–27), reflecting the integrity, love, and humility Jonathan exemplified.

• Think about it. When Jonathan had to play “second team” and was replaced in what appeared to be the most important position, his humility enabled him to trust God and maintain a dear friendship, and be remembered well throughout history. How does this challenge you?