One of the clearest pictures of covenant friendship in Scripture is found in first Samuel chapter 20. In this chapter, Saul’s hostility toward David has become a settled plan to kill him. David, once celebrated, is now a fugitive. In confusion and distress, he turns to Jonathan, his friend, and the son of King Saul.
"What have I done? What is my guilt… that he seeks my life?"
David does not understand his suffering. He has been faithful, yet he is pursued. This reminds us that righteousness does not exempt us from persecution. Sometimes, the very light in us provokes opposition.
Jonathan initially struggles to believe it. As the crown prince, he assumes he would know his father’s plans. But David perceives what Jonathan does not: Saul has hidden the truth, knowing Jonathan would side with David.
Despite being the rightful heir, Jonathan chooses loyalty to David over personal ambition. Here we see the first mark of true friendship: availability. David knew where to run, and Jonathan proved trustworthy.
David and Jonathan, devise a plan to test Saul’s intentions. But before acting, Jonathan makes a covenant with David in first Samuel chapter 20 verses 14 to 15, "If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die, and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever"
The Hebrew word for "steadfast love" is hesed. It is the same word used to describe God’s own covenant faithfulness to His people. Jonathan is asking David to show him the very love of God.
This reveals the second mark of true friendship: sacrificial commitment. Jonathan, though heir to the throne, is willing to relinquish everything to honor God’s purpose. The bible says He loves David “as his own soul”, embodying the kind of love later described in John chapter 15 verse 13. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
The plan unfolds over three days. On the first day, Saul says nothing of David’s absence. On the second day, King Saul asked after David, Jonathan told him he had allowed David to go to Bethlehem for a family sacrifice. Saul’s response is volcanic.
He does not merely express disappointment. He erupts in rage. Right in front of everyone at the feast, he said to his son: "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?"
Saul’s words are brutal. He insults his own wife. He insults his son. Most painfully, he refuses to speak David’s name, referring to him only as "the son of Jesse." Hatred has dehumanized David in Saul’s mind. He commands Jonathan to bring David to him, for "he shall surely die".
In that moment, Jonathan fully sees the truth. He defends David, asking, “Why should he be put to death?”. This is the same question David asked at the beginning of the chapter. Jonathan has now seen what David saw. The truth has become undeniable. And Saul’s response confirms everything. He threw his spear at his own son. He narrowly missed.
This is the third mark of true friendship: courageous advocacy. Jonathan speaks up, confronts injustice, and risks everything including his life to stand for what is right.
In the morning, Jonathan goes to the field, he passes the information to David, ".. Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!" David understands. Saul’s murderous intent is confirmed. He must flee.
In the morning, Jonathan goes to the field, he passes the information to David, ".. Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!" David understands. Saul’s murderous intent is confirmed. He must flee.
David emerges from his hiding place. What follows is one of the most moving record in Scripture. In verse 41, the Bible says: "David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times". This is remarkable. David, the future king of Israel, bows before Jonathan, the current crown prince. But he is not merely honoring Jonathan’s present status. He is honoring Jonathan’s character. He is honoring the covenant. He is expressing gratitude that words cannot contain.
From this passage, we learn:
- We need friends who seek truth, not comfort.
- We need friends who keep covenant, not convenience.
- We need friends who point us to God’s unfailing love.
There will be seasons when you cannot stand for yourself. In those moments, God sends a Jonathan, someone who sees, speaks, and stands on your behalf.
And this passage also calls us higher: to become that kind of friend. Not driven by convenience, but by covenant. Not by self-interest, but by sacrificial love.
May we recognize the Jonathans in our lives,and by God’s grace, become Jonathans to others.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of covenant friendship. Teach us to love with courage, to stand for truth, and to remain faithful even when it costs us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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