The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-08-21
Friendship Of David
and Jonathan
unday School Lesson for Aug. %, 1908
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-"A friend loveth at
all times, and a brother is born in adj
versity."-Prov. 1914
TIME.-1062 B. c., and continuing TIL
| the death of Jonathan, 1855.
| PLACE.-The court OF Saul.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
onathan.-Jonathan the son OF
Saul the crown prince, is one o. the
finest, the most attractive, and engag'
ing characters in all history.
| Mighty in Love. His love did not
flow from weakness but from
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, Il
am distressed for thee, my brother
Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou
been unto me, thy love for me was
wonderful, passing the love of wom'
en- G. 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 mountain fortress of the Phil
istines q Sam. 4:1-15). He was
brave in defending David before his
angry father Il Sam. 20:10, 80. He
showed another even nobler courage
in l Sam. 14:43. 81 certainly taste
in my hand; here l am; 10, I
must die"-"not lament, but hero
ic act of self-sacrifce for the sake of
the people"
His good judgment is shown in 1
Sam. 14:27-30.
His faith in God and his religious
nature were strong as David's Il Sam.
14:6, 70; 10: 5; 2O:13, 42).
His unselfishness was more promi-
nent than in any other Old Testament
character He was the Golden Rule
eXemplified."
His great-hearted unselfishness led
him to recognize submit to, and pro-
mote the evident leadings of divine
providence q Sam 23:16-1S; 20:13-
between two men of whom the younger
er was most formidable rival to the
older" -Blakie.
A Model Son. Jonathan's noble char
acter is also shown by his devotion to
his unfortunate father. ITO him, If
to anyone the frenzy of the king was
amenable' Saul hearkeneth unto the
voice of Jonathan" Il Sam. 1880.
Other characteristics. Jonathan
was older than David, had been
brought up in very different circum-
stances, and was more mature and
self-restrained He was soldier, not
a poet. He had not quite the genius,
selfreiance masterfulness, and vital
force of David, nor his versatility, and
power of leadership; but his was a
great soul, a mighty heart, with
most wonderful capacity for loving.
Dsvid-David, the son of Jesse, the
shepherd. also was very attractive in
his person; he was accomplished in
music and song; he was faithful; he
was full of grace like "a he7goat upon
the mountains" he was courageous
even in heroism; he behaved himself
wisely in all his ways" he had great
common sense ard tact; he was large
hearted and generous; and, above all,
he had "a sublime faith, perfect
cbildlike trust in the glorious arm or
the Lord" He had that in him by
which he became IA champion OF
those who were in distress x Sam.
23:1-5), wall by night and day to
peaceful shepherds Il Sam. 2o:lo,
G)."-Professor Sanders.
An Ideal Friendship.-Between Da-
vid and Jonathan there arose a beau
tiful, almost ideal friendship. The
soul of Jonathan was knit with the
soul of David" Their souls were inter-
woven together into a complete tex
ture of friendship. and Jonathan
loved him as his own sour q Sam.
Is: II. This love in its highest Perfec-
ton, mother love and bridal love is
the finest type and illustration OF the
love of God to his children, as often
expressed in the scriptures.
EXPRESSION of that Friendship
First. Jonathan, the crown prince,
gave his court robes and armor to
David q Sam. IS: A.. Possibly the
gift was suggested by the need of the
country lad for some dress appropri-
ate to his entrance into court"
Second. He defended David from
thes frenzy of his father saul Il sam
uel 49,.
Third. By the incident and the
covenant in 1 Samuel 20.
lie wished David well.
He yielded up his hopes of the king
dom to David, only STIMULATING that
David should not kill him when he be-
came king, as was the custom OF the
times, and the further history shows
the need of the stipulation.
He formed a shrewd plan Of making
known to David the feelings OF Saul
toward David.
V. 81. Saul tried to persuade iona
than to let him kill David, for as long
as the son of Jesse liveth
thou shalt not be established
V. 80. When Jonathan refused. saul
cast a javelln at him to smite him."
Blessedness Of Friendship.
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