Jonathan: David's Covenant Friend (4): Jonathan Befriends David (I Samuel 18:1-4) by Rev. Martyn McGeown
I. Jonathan's Deep Affection
II. Jonathan's Covenantal Commitment
III. Jonathan's Self-Denying Gift
Matthew Henry: “None had so much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was to put him by the crown, yet none regards him more. Those that are governed in their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not suffer their affections to be alienated by any secular regards or considerations.”
Mary J. Evans: “Some have suggested that the relationship between Jonathan and David was homosexual in nature, but this cannot be justified from the text, and implies a failure to understand that good friendship can exist that is not sexually based. The same failure today can make it difficult to form that kind of good friendship. It is important for God’s people to resist the pressures stemming from the assumption of current worldviews that all relationships are sexually based. Rather we must find ways of nurturing friendships and not allowing them to be destroyed by false assumptions. David and Jonathan’s relationship was founded on their shared commitment to God and to the future of God’s people as well as on mutual interests and attitudes—an excellent basis for any friendship” (The Message of Samuel, pp. 115-116).