Jonathan, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated people of the Biblical story. I want to focus on how he exemplifies incredible qualities

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV

Courage– Jonathan was famed for his courage. He didn’t let numbers deter him. Because of his deep trust in God he wasn’t afraid to go up against enormous opposition. We hear a lot about David’s bravery, and certainly he was, but it’s interesting how Jonathan’s stories don’t get more attention. In chapter 13, he had already defeated the Philistines at Geba by leading a garrison of a thousand. Afterwards, a huge force of Philistines came against Saul and had them pinned down. Let’s pick up there. (1 Sam 14:6-15).

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV

The phrase to fear not appears more commonly than any other command of God. Some variation of verses on fear appear over 300 times. God Himself speaks on it a little over 100 times. This drives home the point that we need to take this seriously. God wants us all, men and women, to live a courageous life. And when God says it, He doesn’t make and empty command. It’s not one of those “because I said so” type of statements. He always bases the command off of the fact that He is with us or that He is the one acting. To live a life of fear is to live a life absent of faith. Remember how Jesus rebuked His disciples in the boat when they were freaking out?

“And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Matthew 8:26 ESV

Unselfish love- The next time we learn from Jonathan‘s life is after he meets David four chapters later. In the chapters between Jonathan‘s great heroism and him meeting David so much had happened. His father had been rejected by the Lord as king, Samuel had anointed David as the next king, and David had defeated Goliath and his victory was now overshadowing Jonathan‘s accomplishments. (1 Sam 18:1-4) Jonathan truly kept the command to “love thy neighbor” as yourself. Most people would have considered David to be Jonathan’s enemy. Jonathan was heir to the throne, but God appointed David instead. Saul fought against this with all his might, but Jonathan was willing to forget his own self-interest out of his love for David. Jonathan and David represent a picture of true friendship. Not only did Jonathan not bear animosity towards David, but he made a lasting covenant with him! He went so far as to protect his future rival for the throne.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We all need to have a higher regard for others and seek ways to serve in the small as well as the big things. Just like Jonathan, we should be willing to set aside our expectations and embrace what God is doing. Jesus is the ultimate reflection of that. He set aside heaven to walk among us. He put on humanity so He could give up His very life. He showed what it was like to live a life of service and to make time for those around us.

Submission to the will of God (1 Samuel 20:31) Jonathan, being confronted with the reality that he would never be king, was given a choice, to stand against David or to submit to God’s plan for his life. (Verse 42) Amazingly he humbly submitted himself to the will of God, even when it meant giving up his future kingdom. He didn’t pursue his own interests or push for his own way. When he realized that God wanted to establish David and not himself, he humbly bowed out of the picture and submitted to God’s hand. How many of us would do that? Again in 1 Sam 23:17 Jonathan chooses to be steadfast when the opportunity to step outside of God’s will is presented. At the very least he could have done nothing. Many of us won’t choose to stand in the way of God but our inaction can be much the same.

Matthew 6:10 shows the heart of the Lord’s prayer is to pursue God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. In Matthew 12:50 Jesus himself says doing God’s will is what defines a Christian. James 4:13-15 calla us to put more focus on His will when setting our schedule. Just how much are we willing to lay aside our own plans when the godly interruption occur?

Loyal love – Jonathan was extremely loyal. He saved David’s life on more than one occasion and was a loyal friend. However, he was also a loyal son and didn’t reject his own father. They remained “undivided even in death” (2 Sam 1:23). Jonathan even said that Saul did nothing without discussing it with him (1 Sam 20:2). It reminds me of Ruth and her devotion to Naomi. Proverbs 17:17 says we need to love at all time. The “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13, says loyal love endures all things and hopes all things. It’s powerful and it’s not circumstantial. Jesus says in John 15:13 laying down our lives for another is the greatest act of love. And as amazing as all these stories are, it’s the story of Christ that demonstrates amazing love.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.