I have tried to write about lesser known figures in the Bible to highlight in my Proverbs 31 Men series, which we began last January. If you would like to catch up and read some of the other entries on men like Apollos, Timothy, the brothers John and James, or many other profiles, just go to this link and read to your heart's content. This week and next, I want to look at a man who may be better known than most in this series, and his name is Jonathan, the beloved friend of King David. Let's learn what made him a candidate to be labeled a Proverbs 31 man.
WHO WAS THIS MAN?
I assume you are aware of the story that includes King Saul, Jonathan, and David. If not, you can about them in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. There we learn that Saul was chosen to be Israel's first king, but because of his disobedience, God rejected him and chose to anoint another man who was after God's own heart to succeed Saul. The problem was that Saul was still on the throne and did not take kindly to the idea of his successor being around. In fact, David was his son-in-law, but that did not deter Saul from pursuing him with murderous intent.
It is remarkable that Jonathan, who was Saul's son and heir apparent to the throne, befriended David! We read in 1 Samuel 18:1-4,
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
After all, it was the custom for the older son to become king after his father's death, but Jonathan did not see David as a threat but rather as a friend and covenant brother. He symbolically clothed his friend with his prince's garb to identify David as a special, anointed leader. Later, when David was fleeing from Jonathan's father to save his life, Jonathan encouraged David with these words:
"Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh (1 Samuel 23:17-18).
Jonathan clearly and publicly acknowledged God's plan that David's purpose was to be king and Jonathan's role was to serve him as his right hand man. Jonathan was relinquishing his claim to the throne and expressing his willingness to accept the position and purpose that God had for him. I find this truly amazing and it qualifies Jonathan as a special man—a Proverbs 31 man.
HIS QUALIFICATIONS
On two occasions prior to these meetings with David, Jonathan had distinguished himself as a wise leader who was better equipped than his father to lead. One instance was when Saul put the army under a curse if anyone ate anything before their battle was over and won. Not knowing this, Jonathan ate some honey, and when he was told of his father's words, he replied,
“My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?” (1 Samuel 14:29-30).
Jonathan was a better commander and handler of men than his father. Prior to the honey incident, Jonathan had led the people to a great victory by attacking the Philistines even though no one had a weapon but Jonathan:
Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre (1 Samuel 14:13-14).
I would argue that Jonathan qualifies as a Proverbs 31 man because he used his leadership power and position not to build his own kingdom but to establish David's. What's more, Jonathan opposed his father on more than one occasion, standing up to the powerful on behalf of the weak or standing in when his father was a coward. Jonathan was interested in God's justice and not that of his flawed father, so he sided with the Lord and His anointed in the nation of Israel. Jonathan was quite a man and fulfilled the old adage that says, "a friend in need is a friend indeed." Next week, we will see, however, that the word Jonathan had for his position in David's kingdom never came to pass, and we will learn why.
For now, I want to address men and challenge them to be Jonathans where you are. Stand against tyrants even if they are closely related to you. Encourage others in the will of God for their lives even if it costs you something—or they are in a position you want or hoped to have. Don't crave power or position, but instead actively search for ways to serve others. Take your place as a servant to those over you, not in silly or slavish ways, but by adding your strength to their strength to stand for justice and unity. Imagine what the church and world would be like if men renounced power, resisted envy, and ran in their lanes as they used their strength and position for the good of others. What a wonderful world that would be. Have a blessed week.
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