Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-23

y
secured for him place in Saul's court
and membership in his family through
marriage, When the courageous cham,
pion of Jehovah and Israel was brought
before Saul, he met Jonathan, the
crown prince, whose heart was attracted
to David so strongly that one Of the
greatest friendships in history was
formed. Jonathan's soul chained it.
SELF to that of David's because they
were ike minded in their motives, love
of country and devotion to Jehovah.
The prince loved the shepherd with his
whole soul
They entered into covenant Of
friendship Jonathan made the ad-
vances to David by giving to the hero
Of the hour some Of his own garments
so that he had wardrobe worthy OF ms
position as q member OF the court.
These gifts ratified the covenant and
served as q public proclamation OF their
friendship. When David wore the mill
tary coat and the outer robe, especially
the girdle of the crown prince, 1t pro-
claimed social position and his friend
ship with Jonathan to the people, for
they would recognize the girdle that ne
had worn. No higher token of friend
snip could have been bestowed upon
David than the covenant and the gifts
Of clothing that Jonathan had worn, &C
cording to standards and social prac-
tees Of the Near East. The sword be-
came David's favorite weapon.
When they made this eternal covenant
Jonathan In all probability may have
seen in David his fathers successor.
He revealed his magnanimity, but the
lovable character CT Jonathan was des-
tined to be severely tested through his
fathers insane dislike Of David when he
detected in his popularity the evidence
that David was the neighbor whom
Jehovah had selected to reign in his
stead. He tried by various means 20
secure his death, even requiring condi-
tions that threatened David's life, before
fulfilling his promise to accept the VIC
tor over Goliath as his son-in-law.
Jonathan irterceded for David with his
father and succeeded for q time in re-
moving the kings antagonistic attitude
toward David whose love and loyalty
he knew could not be questioned.
When David showed his friendship by
opening up to Jonathan the evidence Of
the kings determination to secure
David's death, the crown prince demon
strated the loyalty Of his friendship.
Loyal Friendship.
Friendship is tested in hours Of trial.
While Jonathan doubted David's claims,
vet he readily agreed to learn whether
or not his brother in-law had any basis
for his fears. David considered that
his reputation, which was more waltz
able than life itself, was at stake. He
was not afraid of death. He had faced
it In battle without hesitating or con-
sidering its possible presence, but he
did not desire to die at Sauls hands,
when he knew that he had done nothing
to Justify Saul's insane notion that he
was a traitor. He asked Jonathan,
What was my sin before thy father?"
David was as brave In defending his
integrity as he was in hazarding his
life alone against Goliath or IN his
battle with the nations enemies, espe-
cially the Philistines.
David,s appeal to Jonathan tested TO
the limit their friendship. David put
his life in Jonathan's hands. The
Crown Prince had a loyalty to his father
and family, which was strained TO the
limit in his defense of David's fidelity
to his fathers realm. He took such q
strong position that he risked his own
life. for Saul tried to kill his own son,
whom he considered to be standing In
his own light, failing to recognize that
Saul was moved by desire TO pass on
to Jonathan the kingdom. Having en-
dangered his own life in an effort to
without success, there remained but
one thing to do, he must warn David
of his personal peril and have a part
ing interview with the man whom he
loved with all his soul. When Saul
allowed his insane jealousy to make q
breach between his most courageous ana
faithful servant, we may realize that
the relations between Saul and his be-
loved son never were the same again.
&C. fat ~
sought David, who was hiding behind
some old rocks, waiting to learn his
fate. When the lad went after THE
arrows of the Crown Prince, Jonathan
not only warned David OF his imminent
peril but he risked his own life by
seeking q farewell parting interview
with David, whom he would never see
again. AS soon as the lad. whom he
had dismissed, returned to the city,
two men embraced and kissed one an
other upon their cheeks, while they
wept bitterly. They departed from
| that place with renewed pledges of
| friendship that promised protection Of
each others family, II they were drawn
/ into conflict. This pledge David kept,
when he spared Saul's life. The world
has never seen any greater friends than
these two men, who In their devotion
to each other exhibit the character
of true friendship to all mankind.
David's Death Tribute.
When the news reached David Of the
| death Of Saul and his sons near Mount
| Gilboa, on the eastern end Of the bloody
| battlefield of Esdraleon. David ordered
the Amalekite who brought him the sad
/ news and claimed 10 have slain saul 81
| the Kings request to be executed i'm.
n1ediately. David removed his cloths
+ and poured out his soul In leInentatict.
/ over the death Of saul and Jonathan