Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-10
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

|
Hath won the friendship of Jonathan,
VINO loved him as his own soul" 4
The praise which Saul gave to the
nero who. by his faith. won the con-
test against the representative of the
philistines was followed by plans to
destroy Davids life. Jealousy was at
the root of Saurs efforts TO remove
the brave warrior. while his son Jon
lathan, whose position, prestige and
! f-ower was threatened more than the
| kings proved his love and loyalty in
a friendship that has no parallel in
the annals of men. Adversely tests
the friendships of men when friendly.
self sacrificing services reveal the
motives that prompts a friends en-
| oeavor.
Jonathan shines the most in the
friendship that developed between
him and David. Both were of differ
ent types yet they were united in
their devotion to one another by the
spiritual tie that was the fruit of
| their love for Jehovah In response
TO His call they both had dared to en-
ter alone into battle for His glory and
the safety of the nation. In the spir-
itual life that revealed itself in pa
trlotlc endeavor for the veal of Israel
and in courage born of confidence
in Gods personal presence protec-
ton and power they were one When
jonathan gave to the popular hero of
the hour. sign of his friendship.
that was never to be broken his own
royal robe il symbolized the fact that
he would not allow royal authority to
interfere with his devotion to David
In every hour Of emergency Jonathan
was faithful to his friend He tried
TO be a peacemaker between his in
sane father and David by persuading
Saul of his error and by protecting
David when his life was in danger
! from the crazy rulers purpose to slay
him because he suspected that he was
trying to uSurp the kingdom
DavIds danger was real. Three times
| Saui mad attempted to arrest him by
force when he was enjoying the pro-
| lection of Samuel The prophet after
Saul came in person. succeeded in
patching up the differences, but he did
not remove the danger. so David
sought conference with Jonathan.
during which they formed a plan to
| changed his attitude toward David
! as result of Samuers efforts.
| Friendship is seen at its best in the
hour of adversely when the sympathy
of loving friend can point out how
God is working out some high pur
pose through our suffering. 1t is only
| when friends are alone. where the
| world cannot intrude, that one can
secure such a guidance. The confer
ence was a secret one. as there was
no need to expose Jonathan to fresh
danger because of his sympathy and
sincere fellowship with David
| Danger did not brighten David. but
the constant. continuous menace with
| the possibility of an attack being
made upon his life at any moment
made him apprehensive. He proved
his friendship for Jonathan by turn
ing to him in the hour of his trial
but the charge of sedition- that had
| been falsely made against him that
caused David the greatest concern.
His reputation and character were at
stake. These were dearer 10 MN
than life itself He knew that he was
blameless, so did not hesitate to ASK
| What have 1 DONE" He appealed TO
his integrity of conduct and protested
against the false charges.
| David did not see how the hand of
God was shaping his protection in the
hour of his trial. everything all the
| plots for his own good and COO
glory while he was in peril. as was
proven by the events that happened al
| the court when David's absence was
detected. yet his danger was not as
Imminent as they both supposed
Saurs morbid jealousy broke out az
| the time of the new moon. which
| would indicate that II was u tns, ~
| either temporary or incurable insah
! tty. Dayid's' failure to be present at
j the court feast aroused the SUSPICION
| of the king. who denounced ms son
and showed his displeasure by spear
/ ing lightly. according to the eas,ein
| c,,ston against Jonathan's mother,
| when he angrily pointed out tne "a
| that David stood between MN anu .i.e
| throne. Saul had forgotten his Ielec
| ton by the Lord. No man can ueh"'
Gods plans. oauce
pavid because he was worthy Oh
death When the crown pIlnCe
ouired the reason for his 1ather
| cision he found his own life was I'M
nar;led Jonathan realized that MS
| father was in no mood for MN TO aI
que with him. so he passed over ~.
! a di1nified silence the insults OF n,s
fathers fiery speech ana hec reiu ehe of his
fathers unjust treatment OF Davia.
He did not forget his duty 10 ms
| father when he demonstrated NE
| friendship for David. VINO propaus
/ had gone, as he stated u
| for a family reunion. +.
| Friendship cannot be capitalized II
cannot be bought NO one enjoys
! friendship without paying the cosl,
| which in the case of Jonathan was
vreat II meant the loss of his posi-
! tion. property. popularity ana com
| fort if he met David and warned MIN.
| as they had agreed. There is nothihs
that costs so much and consequenus
ia as valuable as friendship Jona-
than gave up his claim to the throne
the property that went with royalty.
the popularity of the court ana riskeu
the loss of his fathers displeasure
and MS own lie " ihcct
did not hesitate. The next morning ne
was there at the appointed place with
the lad and arrows to warn DaN,o'
although he knew that ii would prop
ably cost him the kingdom.
Jonathan exhibited the pure anec-
ton and a 100 per cent loyalty TO Coo
when he gave the warning signal he
revealed the depths of his affection
when he babe farewell to David, after
he had sent the lad back to the court.
At the opening of the war the writer
saw this scene repeated time and time
again as men embraced one another
kissed one another first upon one
cheek, then upon the other. bidding
sons. cousins and members of their
tribe farewell who had been sum
moned to battle in response to the
sultan's command to mobilize ms
forces in the Holy Land. They real
lied that they might never meet
again Not many words were said.
but as they embraced great tears were
she'd They were manly men, VINO
wept They loved with all their
hearts. Since then in our land we
have tried to send the lads away with
a smile, but the parting was as hard
for us as that between David and
Jonathan. who renewed their cove
nants and then parted forever.
As thew parted David seems to have
been overcome. He did not forget, as
future studies will show, his covenant
with Jonathan. If he had quit the
court and followed the fortunes of
David it would have been what man
had no right to expect and for which
there was no need They submitted
their love to the sanctifying blessing
of God Their friendship lasted until
N