Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-08-20
Friendship of David
and Jonathan
Suaday Sehooi Lsssoa for Ass. ~, 1903
Specially Arranged for This Paper


TIME.-iOs2 D. c.. and continuing Till
the death OF Jonathan. 1855.
PLACE.-Thc court OF Saul.
Comment and Suggestive Thought
Jonathan.--Jonathan the son OF
Saul, the crown prince. Is one OF the
finest, the most attractive. and engag
ing characters in all history.
Mighty In Love. His love did not
flow from weakness but nom
strength. He was Great.heart himself.
He loved David as his own soul"
David. in the Song OF the Bow"
his touching lament over his friend
slain on Mount Bilboa. exclaIms, II
am distressed for thee, my brother
Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou
been unto me. thy love for me was
wonderful. passing the love OF WON.
en-" e Sam. 1920.
Brave. Jonathan was brave and
noble soldier. and had accomplished
some very daring feats OF arms. Alone
with his armor bearer. he had cap
tured a mountain fortress OF the Phil.
Istines Il Sam. l4:l.l5l. lie was
brave in defending David before his
angry father Il Sam. 20:l0. 32). He
showed another even nobler courage
in | Sam. l4:i3. Il certainly taste
. In my hand: here | am: 10.
must die"-"not a lament. but hero
lc act OF self.sacriice for the sake Of
the people"
His good judgment is shown in
Sam. l4:27.3O.
l. I'd -, AA nj 10 fufn
nature were strong as Dayid's Il Sam.
14:6, ~; 10: 5; 20:l3. 42).
His unselishness was more promi.
nent than in any other Old Testament
character He was the Golden Rule
exemplifed"
His great.hearted unselhshness led
him TO recognize. submit to. and pro-
mote the evident leadings Of divine
| providence Il Sam. 23:l6-lS; 20:l3-
between two men OF whom the younger
or was a most formidable rival TO the
older "-Tilaikie.
A Model Son. Jonathan's noble char.
, acter Is also shown by his devotion to
his unfortunate father. ITO him. II
to anyone. the frenzy OF the king was
amenable." saul hearkeneth unto the
voice Of Jonathan" Il Sam. 1850.
other Characteristics. Jonathan
was older than David. had been
brought up in very different circum.
stances, and was more mature and
selt.restrained. He was a soldier. not
a poet. He had not quite the genius,
self.reliance, masterfulness, and vital
force OF David. nor his versatility, and
power of leadership; but his was q
great soul. mighty heart. with a
most wonderful capacity for loving.
David.-David. the son OF Jesse, the
shepherd. also was very attractive in
his person: he was accomplished ia
music and song: he was faithful; he
was full OF grace like "A he.goat upon
the mountains" he was courageous
even in heroism; he behaved himself
wisely IN. all his ways" he had great
common sense and tact; he was large
hearted and generous; and, above all
he had "a sublime faith, a perfect
childlike trust In the glorious aim OF
the Lord" He had that in him by
which he became "A champion OF
those who were In distress Il Sam
23:l.5). a wall by night and day &c
peaceful shepherds Il Sam. 20: 10
i6)."-Professor Sanders.
An Ideal observation-disclosures Da
vId and Jonathan there arose beau
tiful. almost ideal friendship. "Th,
soul OF Jonathan was knit with tbs
soul OF David" Their souls were inter
woven together into complete tex
ture OF friendship And Jonathan
loved him as his own soul" Il sam
IS: -. This love in its highest perfec
ton, mother love and bridal love Il
the finest type and illustration OF th'
love OF God to his children. as offer
expressed in the scriptures.
Expression OF that Friendship
First. Jonathan. the crown prince
gave his court robes and armOr 4
David Il Sam. is: ~. Possibly tn
gift was suggested by the need Of tn
country lad for some dress appropri
ate to his entrance into court
Second. He defended David iron
the frenzy OF his father Saul Il San
uel l9).
Third. BY the incident and III
covenant in / Samuel 20.
He wished David well.
He yielded up his hopes OF the klng
dom TO David. only STIMULATING tina
David should not kill him when he b.
came king. as was the custom OF IN
times, and the further history show
the need Of the stipulation.
He formed a shrewd plan Of maxim
known to David the feelings OF SAT
toward David.
V. 81. Saul tried TO persuade joni
than to let him XIII David. for az Ton
as the son OF Jesse liyeth
: thou shalt not be established"
v. 80. When Jonathan refused. SAT
cast q jayelin at him to smite him