Wednesday of Trinity 9

 The Gift of Friendship

1 Samuel 18:1-9 (ESV) As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. [Additional readings under consideration: 1 Samuel 19:1–7, 20:1–42; 2 Samuel 1:17–27]

Yesterday I wrote about 2 Samuel 22 (cf. Psalm 18), a Psalm in which David praises the Lord for preserving David through difficult times and giving him victory over his enemies, including King Saul. 1 Samuel 18-31 recounts the drama of Saul’s efforts to secure his throne by killing David. Though David was anointed king by the Lord in 1025 BC, he did not become king of Judah (the southern kingdom) until 1010 (2 Sam 2), after Saul and his son Jonathan died (1 Sam 31). David became king of Israel (the northern kingdom) in 1003 (2 Sam 5).

One of the aids that God gave to David was his friendship with Jonathan. The Lord had chosen David to replace disobedient King Saul (1 Sam 13:1-14; 15:23; 16:12). After David was anointed king, “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him” (1 Sam 16:14). David was called to play the lyre for Saul, which relieved his spiritual torment. Saul became even more dependent on David after he killed Goliath (1 Sam 17) and was set over Israel’s army (1 Sam 18:5).

Almost immediately, Saul became extremely jealous of David’s successes, began to view David as a threat to his throne, and attempted to kill David (1 Sam 18:5-27). Saul realized that the Lord was with David and became even more afraid of him; thus, “Saul was David’s enemy continually” (1 Sam 18:28-29).

While Saul had become jealous of David, Saul’s son Jonathan befriended him and grew to love him unselfishly (1 Sam 18:1-4). No hint of sexual love between Jonathan and David is implied in any of these texts. Jonathan’s stripping of his garments and weapons and giving of them to David reflected his covenant of self-giving friendship, and possibly indicated that Jonathan viewed David as the heir to Saul’s throne, which would have been Jonathan’s by right. Jonathan’s behavior toward David throughout their friendship is a remarkable example of him loving his neighbor as himself (Lev 19:18).

Saul instructed his servants and Jonathan to kill David, but Jonathan warned David and interceded with Saul to temporarily appease Saul’s murderous intentions (1 Sam 19:1-7). Saul’s further attempts to kill David sent him on the run (1 Sam 19:8-24). Jonathan still trusted Saul, though David did not, so they concocted a deceitful scheme to determine if Saul really was intent on killing David; he was! (1 Sam 20:1-42)

Jonathan finally realized that Saul would stop at nothing to kill David and swore always to watch out for David’s best interests (1 Sam 20:41-42). Jonathan eventually fell on the battlefield alongside his father and two brothers (1 Sam 31:2, 8). David’s hymn of lament over Saul and Jonathan expresses his wonder at Jonathan’s unwavering friendship and love for him (2 Sam 1:17-27). May the Lord grant to us the experience of such friendship in our lives!

Jesus, the Son of David, said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus actually went further, dying for sinners who are God’s enemies (Romans 5:8, 10). Jesus was known as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). Jesus stretches the bounds of our ideas of friendship to include our enemies: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). Only He truly has accomplished such a love. The most loving thing we can do for our friends is to bring them to Jesus, who is our friend in the church in His Word and Sacraments.

Prayer (LSB 722):

1. Lord, take my hand and lead me

    Upon life’s way;

Direct, protect, and feed me

    From day to day.

Without Your grace and favor

    I go astray;

So take my hand, O Savior,

    And lead the way.

 

2. Lord, when the tempest rages,

    I need not fear,

For You, the Rock of Ages,

    Are always near.

Close by Your side abiding,

    I fear no foe,

For when Your hand is guiding,

    In peace I go. 

 

3. Lord, when the shadows lengthen

    And night has come,

I know that You will strengthen

    My steps toward home.

Then nothing can impede me,

    O blessèd Friend;

So take my hand and lead me

    Unto the end. Amen.