p. 166 | David and Jonathan by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 14, 1859

David and Jonathan.

By J. Clarke

"I AM distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of woman." 2 Sam. i, 26.

In contemplating the character of these two illustrious persons, one can never be tired of admiring the friendship which existed between them. Surely we exclaim, There must have been much that was noble, excellent and refined, in both their characters, or this friendship could never have endured the severe tests to which it was exposed.

Jonathan, the son of Saul, and natural heir to the throne, sees in David a formidable rival, and with the interest of his own family very near his heart, he loses every selfish consideration, and all desire of self-aggrandizement, and falls in love with David, and becomes his nearest friend and ally, and this too, in the face of his father's openly avowed expression of enmity to David, for the palpable reason, that the family of Saul were in danger of being supplanted by the young warrior, who slew his ten thousands to Saul's thousands.

No selfish interest could mar the friendship of Jonathan and David. They confided fully in each other, and more than once did Jonathan save the life of David from the fury of Saul's jealousy; and once at least, did Saul seek to destroy Jonathan for this cause.

In vain did Saul seek to imbue the mind of Jonathan his son with his own Satanic jealousy. The more Saul hated David, the more did Jonathan love him, and in no instance did Jonathan act against David, but always sought his interest and happiness.

At the time David uttered the above sentiment, he was mourning in unfeigned sorrow of heart for the untimely death of Saul and Jonathan, who had fallen in battle. He recounts their warlike deeds, their virtues, and with princely courtesy he places Saul as first, in valor and noble deeds, and no one could imagine that any ill feeling ever entered his heart against Saul, his mortal foe. Indeed, it is evident that he did after all, love this mortal enemy, even to the last; but towards Jonathan his soul was moved to its lowest depths, and all the prospects now opened before him, could not comfort his afflicted, wounded heart.

David, (when we consider his times) with all his blemishes of character, was a wonderful man. His deep flow of feeling, his strong natural affection, his fidelity, his earnest piety, and truth, combined with unflinching integrity, and personal bravery, and moral courage, while it awed his enemies, drew to his interest every noble mind, and won the favor of God. Indeed, in the main, David was a man after God's own heart. True, he sinned; but read his public confession, as recorded in the fifty-first psalm. See how open and frank he is there; no attempt at concealment or self-justification.

Doubtless Jonathan was won to David by these traits which manifested themselves on every fitting occasion; and thus we judge of Jonathan, that he possessed a noble mind, that could rise superior to selfish considerations; that could love the character which was developed in David; could subdue every emotion of jealousy or envy; and could commune with, and find pleasure in, David. In this we have the most unequivocal evidence of the goodness and excellence of the character of Jonathan.

What an example of brotherly kindness is exhibited in these two manly friends. With personal interests at antipodes, and everything to drive them apart, (in a selfish view,) their souls were knit together in love. O, there was the love of God in the heart, which lay at the root of this friendship. Yes, they saw the golden chain which was hidden from the public eye; that chain which cements the truest friendships, and unites the family of God in all ages.