Title: Jonathan's Love of Neighbor
Content Q- 1 Samuel 20:12-17 Title: Jonathan's Love of Neighbor
The love of neighbor we are used to is probably the good Samaritan Jesus spoke of (Luke 10:30~). However, the love of neighbor in the text is the true story of the emotional friendship of the prince Jonathan who is being pursued by David. We must learn and practice Jonathan's friendship in a reality where we do not know the dignity of life and the disregard for personality and human rights.
1. Decided to protect the lives of neighbors 12~13
“12, look at my father, and if you have good intentions toward David, 13 but if my father intends to harm you” ~11). This is Jonathan's special consideration to help David escape safely without harming his life by examining Saul's intentions between good and evil. “12, the Lord, the God of Israel, testifies” The name of a God is the title of God used when making vows or oaths. Jonathan used this divine name to confirm the faithfulness of his oath to David. God himself used this name to emphasize that He is faithful to keep His covenant with His people (2:30; 2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Kings 1:30). He declared that if he did not provide a safe way, he would be punished as well as killing an animal (3:17). Lastly, I prayed that the God who was with his father would be with David to bless his neighbor. He said that this good God's will would be done for David.
2. He clearly recognized the kingship of his neighbor 14~15
Misinterpreting the text may make Jonathan a coward beg for his life and the lives of his family. “14, . . . show me the kindness of the Lord, so that I may not die…, 15, . . . you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever.” Since Jonathan was the most powerful prince in the world after his father, David asked for mercy from him (verse 8), but now the opposite has happened. Jonathan had no greed for power, realized God's providence and obeyed it, so he is a victor of faith who deserves God's mercy. “The Son of God” means the faithful covenant love of Jehovah God to his covenant people (v. 8). However, David did not ascend to the throne during Jonathan's lifetime (31:6), but after becoming king, he kept Jonathan's covenant and protected his son Mephibosheth like a son until the end (2 Samuel 9:9~13). The “enemies of David” are all the enemies of King Saul's family. Jonathan is dishonest and disgraceful, but he loved his neighbor according to God's providence.
3. He loved his neighbor as his own life 16~17
[Concluding remarks]
It seems that the word “neighbors” can only be found in dictionaries because the people of the world are dry. Jonathango David’s friendship in the text, that is, love for neighbor, can hope for the honor of the family and even his own glory. Also, we must follow God’s providence and love our neighbor by following the example of keeping the covenant even though one side of the covenant is lost.