bros

 

And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord take vengeance on David's enemies.”

1 Samuel 20:16

This is part of a story of faithful friendship. It is a bond between two warriors that would transcend family, politics, kingdoms, and wars. It would carry on despite the death of one friend to show concern and care into the next generation. It would be a friendship with a love that survived even the hero's death of one friend who died defending the other friend who would eventually rule the kingdom the dead friend was expected to lead. It is a deep story of a deep friendship.

And Jonathan's covenant with David's house gets to the root of how this could be such a strong friendship: It was based on a mutual commitment to the LORD. Jonathan knew how kingly politics went in his world. He was the crown prince in Israel. He also knew God had decreed the end of his father's kingdom and the rise of David as the anointed king of Israel.

Jonathan trusted that God knew what He was doing and acknowledged David as the rightful next king of Israel. And then he fought hard to give David the best path to the throne. He would, like Jesus prophesied about Himself, give his life for his friend, proving a great love. And that warrior love would never be forgotten by David. Faith builds faithful friends.