The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-05-08

ly illustrates the conditions of friend
ship as this which is before us. JON
athan was every inch man; affection
ate. sweet and tender. deeply pious
and withal loyal to both duty and
friends. His rights, as the kings son.
he gladly set aside for David, whom he
'loved as his own soul" (ch. 1873;
BOLD. Jonathan is a great type of
the surrendered life (ch. 23:1O.
!. David's Danger, w. 1926. Three
times in the previous chapter (vv. .,
IA, 3O) we read that David behaved
himself wisely" Saul eyed David
". 19) and his jealous anger grew as
he gave vent to his hate. Jonathan's
desires for David drew the anger of
Saul (20:30), but it only put him more
upon his guard and made him more de-
termined. il possible. to save both
David and Saul.
Following David's escape 0S:1S) he
consulted Jonathan regarding his
safety (20.1-10). They renewed their
covenant and swore fealty to each
other and to those of their house
holds wv. HID. 1t is standing re-
buke that Christians treat so lightly
their covenants with the church and
with the world. David was safe at
Naioth 19: 1924, for each company
sent after him, and Saul himself. were
hindered by the Spirit of Jehavah from
carrying out Saul's foul designs. This
seemed for the moment to humble
Saul COL; Ps. 97:D. Jonathan,
though great and mighty, was not
strong enough to deliver his friend
from the renewed wrath of his father.
Vain is the help of man." Our help
is in the Lord" Jonathan showed his
true friendship in that he told the ex-
act state of affairs to David ". 10).
When Saul became convinced that
Jonathan was taking David's part. he
tried to kill Jonathan and reviled the
mother who bore him ". 3O. In his
loss Of self-control Saul allowed David
to escape. Even so. sin overshoots its
mark. The contrast Is a dark one to
contemplate. When God was with
y,
was upon him Q1:6), he did battle for
God and was humble. brave. generous
and obedient to God. But his bright
beginning ends In an eclipse. the com.
mencement of which was his rejection
of the word of the Lord 15.23).
u. David Delivered, w. 35-42. Jon.
athan did not revile again ". 34) when
insulted and assailed by his father
and his manifestation Of just anger
flor his mother was reviled) was
quite different from that of his father
Any attempt to reconcile Saal to Da.
vid ". 34) was a useless exposure to
danger and for Jonathan to be seen
with his friend would imperil his own
life. This explains the expedient OF
shooting arrows in the field. Jonathan
shot his arrows beyond" i. e., David
must go beyond" and out of the reach
of Saul. David trusted Jonathan's fidel
| ity ". 23) when the test came, though
Jonathan might have good reason fol
playing him false in order to promote
his own interests.
How many of us. like Jonathan's lad
unconsciously bear tidings of mighty
import. messages Of life or of condem
nation, as we go about the discharge
of our daily duties.
Diminishing the boy. Jonathan drew
near to David's hiding place. to the
south of the stone Eel ". Al r. w.
where most touching parting tool
place between these two friends. FRS
of all David bowed ceremoniousl,
three times. touching his head to thu
ground. perhaps to show his unshakeI
loyalty to Jonathan as the kings son
This was but for a moment; as men O
the East and friends. they rushed t,
each others arms and wept for a lon,
time. These were the manly tears O
two brave men not afraid to shov
their love and emotions. 1t has beel
suggested that Jonathan should hav
accompanied David as Gods cleo
Heb. 1879, but we feel that dut,
babe him to remain by the side of hi
sin-stricken father. Only once subse
quently. and that briefly (23:15-l8)
did these two meet. Jonathan's vic
lent and untimely death drew frou
David one of the most touching an
yet beautiful laments to be found Il
literature. sacred ~ otherwise III Sa:-
1:17-2O
The Lessons of the Lesson. Tru
friendship costs. Gods love gave t
the world his Son. Jonathan's FRIEND
ship for David was costly. but wa
given gladly. not grudgingly. Tru
friendship neither forgets duty no
neglects its Sesire towards the objec
of its love. 1t is not governed emotion
ally. yet it disregards all other ties,
they are wrong. Not even a father @
mother should lead US to wrong
friend When David came into powe
he remembered the everlasting GOV,
nant made with Jonathan Gil San
$50. Our "Son of David" has made
similar covenant with us (Acts 16: 81
2:39). True friendship is of sIo'
growth, but is not easily kille,
chilled by reverses. nor frozen by a,
versity prov. 1920. True friendshi
is unseIfish. 1t gives and does NJ
seek Jesus called his apostles friend
John 1913, for a true friend wi
give up even his life for those b
loves. True friendship 10 not eonve,
tional, performing the merely perfun
tory daily duties of man tn man Tr,