PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Because Jonathon loved him as he loved himself.” (1 Samuel 20:17)
Jonathan puts his own life in danger out of love for David (20:33).
The phrase “as he loved himself” seems to be a Hebrew expression.
It compares his love to the devotion we normally reserve for ourselves.
We help ourselves, we protect ourselves, we take care of ourselves.
Jesus adopts this same expression when he calls us to love others.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
He then adds that the whole law calls for this kind of devotion.
Jesus not only commands this kind of love, he models it.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
God’s kingdom enters this dark world through this kind of love.
We join God and Jesus in restoring God’s kingdom with this kind of love.
But be honest, do I really love the people around me like this?
Do I help others, protect others, take care of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)?
With Jesus’s help, I can grow in this kind of love, if I really want to!
PRAYER
Lord, our world is filled with people who love themselves. Your kingdom revolution occurs as people join you in loving others as themselves. Help me by your Spirit to grow in this kind of love!
“And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.” David and Jonathan make promises that they are faithful to keep. They had mutual love and respect for each other. Jonathan has lots to lose – the kingship – but I believe Jonathan knew and trusted God and that God’s will was that David would become king. Yet Jonathan was still faithful to his father, for the most part yet he kept his promises to David. How it grieved them both. Even Michal – David’s wife, Johnathan’s sister colluded to keep David safe from their father who was intent on killing him – all because of jealousy – but more so that he had lost his connection with God. I too must not follow my own ways – but seek those of the Lord to stay on the right track!