Middletown transcript., 1915-05-08

There is perhaps no narrative in all
history or literature which so perfect
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. 1888;
2O:10. Jonathan is a great type OF
the surrendered life (ch. 23:17).
!. David's Danger, w. s2-S5. Three
times in the previous chapter (vv. 5,
IA. 30) we read that David behaved
himself wisely" Saul eyed David"
iv. 19) and his Jealous anger grew as
he gave vent to his hate. Jonathan's
desires for David drew the anger Of
Saul (2O:S0). but it only put him more
upon his guard and made him more de-
termined, If possible, to save both
David and Saul.
Following David's escape (18:18) 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 a standing re-
buke that Christians treat SO lightly
their covenants with the church and
with the world. David was safe at
Naioth (19:1S-24), 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 (20:1; 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 ". 1O).
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 it's
mark. The contrast is a dark one to
contemplate. When God was with
Saul (10:O. when the Spirit Of God
was upon him (11:6), 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 (16.23).
II. David Delivered, w. 36-42. Jon
athan did not revile again ". 34) when
insulted and assailed by his father,
and his manifestation Of Just anger
(for his mother was reviled) was
quite different from that Of his father.
Any attempt to reconcile Saul to Da-
vid ". S4) was a useless exposure to
danger and for Jonathan to be seen
with his friend would imperiI his own
life. This explains tho expedient OF
shooting arrows in the field. Jonathan
shot his arrows beyond" 1. e., David
must go beyond" and out OF the reach
of Saul. David trusted Jonathan's fdel-
| ity ". 23) when the test came, though
Jonathan might have good reason for
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.
Dismissing the boy, Jonathan drew
near to David's hiding place, to the
| south of the stone Ezel ". Al r. VI.
where a most touching parting took
place between these two friends. First
of all David bowed ceremoniously
three times, touching his head to the
ground, perhaps to show his unshaken
loyalty to Jonathan as the kings son.
This was but for moment; as men of
the East and friends, they rushed to
each others arms and wept for a long
time. These were the manly tears of
i two brave men not afraid to show
their love and emotions It has been
suggested that Jonathan should have
accompanied David as Gods elect
(Heb 1919. but we feel that duty
bade him to remain by the side Of his
sin-stricken father. Only once subse-
quently, and that briefly (23:l5-lS),
did these two meet. Jonathan's vio-
lent and untimely death drew from
David one Of the most touching and
yet beautiful laments to be found in
literature, sacred or otherwise (u Sam.
1:17-27).
The Lessons Of the Lesson. True
friendship costs. Gods love gave to
the world his Son. Jonathan's friend
ship for David was costly, but was
given gladly, not grudgingly. True
friendship neither forgets duty nor
neglects its desire towards the object
of its love. 1t is not governed emotion
ally, yet it disregards all other ties, II
they are wrong. Not even a father or
mother should lead US to wrong a
friend. When David came into power
he remembered the everlasting cove
nant made with Jonathan (TI Sam.
9:S). Our "Son Of David" has made
similar covenant with us (Acts 1881.
2;39). True friendship is OF slow
growth, but is not easily killed,
chilled by reverses, nor frozen by ad-
versity prov. 1920. True friendship
IS unselfish. 1t gives and does not
seek. Jesus called his apostles friends
John 1919, for a true friend will
dive up even his life for those he
loves. True friendship ls not eonven-
.ional, performing the merely perfume
tory daily duties of man to man. True
friendship demands great soul. JON
athan had an exceedingly great SON
and one of the greatest titles pos
sessed by our Lord is "the friend OF
sinners
True friendship ls founded upon re-
a. -.