What Christians Can Learn from Jonathan's Choice Between His Ungodly Father and His Godly Friend
1 Samuel 18 tells us that David was now a part of the royal household. Both Jonathan the king's son and David the future king formed a friendship. David was behaving wisely and he soon became a man of war. It didn't take long for Saul's ugly envy to emerge. Verse 8 shows how Saul was soon envying David because the women were praising David. We see a king who only cared about his popularity. He thought ill of David and wanted to kill the latter several times. Twice, David avoided the spear of Saul. David's wise behavior caused Saul to be afraid of him. You can see how ungodly men tremble before godly men. They see godly men as a threat to their rule.
We can further see in 1 Samuel 18 that Saul was an unscrupulous man in many ways. David had an attitude of humility while Saul was of haughtiness. David humbled herself calling himself undeserving to the king's son-in-law. It wasn't long until David wanted to marry Michal (who was later given off to another man). Saul thought ill and decided that he would get rid of David in every way possible. He said that he would give Michal if David can bring a hundred foreskin of the Philistines. What a way to try and destroy David! However, God was with David and the latter brought not a hundred but two hundred foreskins. Saul had no choice but to keep his promise to David. David became his son-in-law though it wasn't the end.
1 Samuel 19 shows just how Jonathan cared more about God's will than to secure his throne as the next King of Israel. Jonathan spoke well unto Saul about David. Jonathan warned David about Saul's murderous desire over David. We can also see that Saul is obviously a liar in 1 Samuel 19:6. Saul supposedly said that David would not be slain as the LORD lives yet he was planning murder in his heart. Michal decided to help David escape. Saul revealed himself to be a murderous mad man. This would really affect Jonathan in whatever conflict he would have with his father.
1 Samuel 20 talks about how Jonathan valued David's life more than securing the throne. It was already time for the new moon. The Jews used a lunar cycle and every new moon meant a new lunar month and it was an important event. Jonathan helped David escape but at a cost. Don't believe that if you choose to do God's will that you wouldn't have conflict with the world. Instead, Saul was so upset that he decided to threaten his own son Jonathan with a javelin. This would be a very dangerous thing for a father to do. This was obviously a son against his father. Saul cared more about his reputation but Jonathan cared more about godly character. An ungodly father and a godly son would never be able to come to agreement. In fact, Jonathan even dared to defy his father Saul to follow God's will. Jonathan would rather let God's chosen one be king instead of him going against God's will. 1 Samuel 20:15 even has Jonathan swearing that the LORD will cut off the enemies of David.
We can see that this is one thing that we can't deny. Godliness is a great divider against an ungodly world. Jonathan was the total opposite of his father. Saul loved power but Jonathan loved God. Many people today will even find themselves in Jonathan's situation. Expect trouble but if God is pleased then never mind the trouble that the world will bring. Besides, Jesus also warned in Luke 12:53 that the Gospel will be divisive. Besides, many who will get saved will find themselves estranged from the former life, no longer well-accepted especially if they were called out from horribly ungodly backgrounds and environments. Just remember doing God's will can even cost you your life.
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