Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30


David is unsurpassed in the annals OF
men. History records many classical
stories of this master passion OF the
| human soul, but none have Influenced
! the thinking and life of men more
/ than the story assigned for our con-
Sdcration this week. 1t is difficult to
t explain the spontaneous affinity of
| these two great men, who evidently
were drawn together upon their first
meeting. when David returned from
| his victory over Goliath. We know
| that the soul of Jonathan went our
to the young hero, whom he loved "as
his own soul" The laws of attraction
! and cohesion are among the mysteries
of the world. Precious metals were
! deposited in like areas. The same can
be said of stones. Where oil exists
more oil can be found. The species
Of animals and plants have their favor
lite zones. where the habitat fits the
WhimS of nature. The spontaneous
affinity that drew Jonathan and David
together was in accordance with the
mysterious eternal laws of friendship
that characterize all friendship among
men.
Friendship is divine in its orgn. for
| it is based upon mutual love. Jona-
than's affection for David broke the
barrier of rank, for he was at heart
true democrat. He proved his affec-
ton for David at their first meeting by
blood covenant which enabled men
in ancient times to become brothers by
drinking each others blood. 1t is
pity that one cannot find within the
home circle the comfort. counsel and
comradeship of the friendship that
helps to mold our characters, but the
great friendships in history have been
formed in circles outside that Of ones
home. In those friendships each has
given to the other unlimited self-denial
and service. While David had more to
gain than Jonathan from his friend.
ship with the crown prince. neverthe-
less he gave to him love that equaled
that given to him. He showed his de-
votion and appreciation of the loyalty
and affection Of Jonathan by his lam
entation over the death of Jonathan
and Saul on the battlefield Of Gilboa.
In his ode. which ranks, from q liter.
airy standpoint, with the finest funeral
odes in all literature. he demonstrated
that his love for Jonathan was not
like many protested modern friend
ships that last only as long as they can
get something out of you. The vital
element in their love and loyalty for
one another was their love of God,
which found expression in courageous
and patriotic service for Jehovah's
glory and their countrys welfare.
Each gave all that he had to the other.
Their friendship met every test. Their
fidelity stood the strain Of self-denial.
sacrificial, service. Their loyalty con.
tinued in times Of darkness, despair
and doom. Their love withstood the
nf SI1ff
ion one from the other, because it was
eternal in character.
The Tested Friendship.
Jonathan gave to David generously
OF his own clothing, when the shep-
herd youth came to dwell in the court.
He stripped himself of the long outer
robe, which indicated his rank, and
the special garment to be worn with
arms under the robe. He presented
him his sword. which only a few pos
sessed in those days, and his bow
with which he had won his great vic
tory over the Philistines. This
cemented the covenant and equipped
David for his life as q member Of the
kings household, for Saul refused to
allow him to return to the home of
Jesse after his victory over Goliath.
He started in the confidential posi-.
ton of armor-bearer, but rose rapidly
through his skill as warrior to be q
captain over a thousand, the sub.
division Of a tribe" until he finally
became captain of the kings body
guard, ranking next to Abner and
Jonathan. BY his marriage to Michal,
Sauls daughter, David became
member Of the royal family and in
line for the kingship.
In attaining this position. David
had the cooperation and the aid of
Jonathan, who soon recognized that
God had chosen David to succeed his
father, and generously offered to
assist David rs his prime minister.
In their many conferences and cam.
paigns the friendship of these two
men grew in strength. especially in
the hours when David was a subject
Of Saul's jealousy. Within three or
four years after the king had well
coined David into his court, Saul
tried at least ten times to make away
with David, either directly or in
directly. 1t was after one of these
subtle attempts to kill David in battle
by requiring him to carry out the
kings dangerous orders that Saul
made a public attempt to kill David.
While Saul was moved by the spirit
"cannibal of the heart in Jonathan,
for he warned David of his danger
and interceded with his father on his
behalf. Loyalty to his father did not
call for him to be Indifferent to
Davids danger or fail in trying to
protect him. Friendship does not call
for us to wink at violation of law or
condone any crime. The true friend
will seek to correct any errors Of
misconduct on part of his friend by
whispering in his ear a warning Of
its outcome.
Jonathan risked his own life when
he warned his father of his wrong
attitude toward David. People do not
like to be told Of their faults, much
less unbalanced folks like Saul, whose
mind was breaking down more and
more under the strain Of his office.
David fled TO Samuel when his life
was threatened, probably planning to
use his gifts along the lines of
prophetic service rather than as a
warrior. In a secret interview
Jonathan warned David of his danger,
and. renewing their covenant, they
parted.
Placing his parents in Moab. David
sought shelter from the priests in
their colony upon Mount Of Olives.
He was not welcomed there, and he
was compelled to leave their protec-
ton by his presence being discovered
by one of the kings servants. He
| then sought the mercy Of Achist, the
King Of Gath, but the people recog-
nized him and he was compelled to
flee to the desert, an outcast from
| both nations. In Jeshemon all those
in debt and filled with discomfort
| fiocked to him, until he became n
| leader Of we'll disciplined and
powerful force that had to be con.
sidered in all campaigns conducted in