Taken from “Selected Ministry from the General meetings Oakbrook, Illinois July, 1986”
First of all, please turn to Mark 8:3535For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:35): "For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" You can have a saved soul, but a lost life. It is my desire that each one of us would have not only a saved soul, but also saved lives. That is, lives that would be preserved for God's glory, so that the Lord Jesus will be able, in some little measure, to say in that day, "Well done." It is on my heart, dear young people, to continue on with Jonathan. I would like to read a few passages in connection with his later life. Turn to 1 Sam. 18:11And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1):
"And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him no more go home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. And David went out withersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward."
We find here another part of the life of Jonathan. It was very beautiful what was brought before us yesterday about the devotedness of Jonathan. We love to read about that part of his life where he was so devoted and faithful, and had such love for the people of God. But, because there has been devotedness in our lives in the past, is no assurance that the rest of our time will be for the glory of God. There has to be a constant going on, a constant looking to the Lord, or we will find that the battle is too strong for us. We can't handle it in our own wisdom or strength, and we need to be constantly dependent on the Lord.
I have watched the lives of a great number of young people. I have seen some start out brightly. But, as the trials of the way overcame them, they were turned aside. Many, as I look back, were so bright and happy, but there was not a continuance―a going on. And I am quite sure that when these meetings are over it is going to be for some of you like it was for the disciples when they came down from the mount, after that wonderful experience of seeing no man but Jesus only: they were immediately met with a difficulty they couldn't handle. There was a man who came with his child who had an unclean spirit; and they couldn't cast him out. The Lord Jesus has to say, "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Maybe as you have been in these meetings and heard the precious ministry of Christ, and heard those lovely things brought before you about Jonathan and his devotedness, there has been something stirred in your heart, and you said (and many of us, perhaps, were saying), "I want to live more devotedly for the Lord Jesus. He has done so much for me, I would like to live for Him." But I am going to tell you this, that when you leave this meeting, if that desire has been in your heart, Satan is going to try to bring something into your life that will be a test to you. It may even be just some person.
It seems to me that the particular snare in the life of Jonathan was his father. He should have known what his father was like. As was pointed out yesterday, every time Jonathan did something his father tried to get the credit. Yet Jonathan didn't seem to realize what his father really was. And, there might be some friend in your life; you say, "I know that friend hasn't been all that he should be; but I don't like to break that friendship." At the end of Jonathan's life, when he was slain on the mountains of Gilboa, David had to make a statement that seems to me to be very sad. He said, "Saul and Jonathan were not separated in their lives." Is there someone that is hindering you? They should have been separated. Jonathan was a man of faith; we will meet Jonathan in glory. But king Saul was not, even though he did put on a lot of pretense at times. He even was among the prophets prophesying on one occasion. So if you are going to live for the Lord Jesus, there must be separation. And it is not going to be an easy thing. It will be a path of reproach, a path of being a soldier, a good soldier of Jesus Christ. You will need the ammunition―that which He alone can supply―to handle the situations which you are going to have to meet.
In this portion we see a very bright event in the life of Jonathan. He had witnessed the victory David had won over Goliath the giant. I believe that Goliath the giant is a picture to us of Satan, and the Lord overcoming Satan's power at the cross. When Jonathan witnessed this wonderful victory his heart was stirred afresh―touched again; now there was one who should have, and who did, mean far more to him than king Saul, his father. That was David. And, I ask you this, dear young person, could the Lord Jesus have done more than He has done to win your heart and mine? His love could not do more, and would not do less! He gave Himself; "The Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me." The Lord Jesus gave Himself for you! When Jonathan witnessed this wonderful victory that David had won, there was something that stirred very, very deeply in his heart, perhaps more than ever before. It says, "The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."
We have no doubt that David loved Jonathan; but here we find the response of Jonathan. And, you have no doubt that the Lord Jesus loves you―He gave Himself for you. But does this stir a response of love? I like that little expression in John's Epistle (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17), marginal reading), "Herein is love with us made perfect." That is, when you love someone and you don't get a response, it is very frustrating. But when you love someone and you do get a response, there is a feeling of satisfaction―you love them, and they love you, and there is a response―you feel it. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord Jesus loves us so perfectly? and He wants there to be love with us―He wants the response to be produced in your heart and mine. On this occasion with Jonathan it was. But, as is often said in connection with marriage, "love has to be worked at." It is true in marriage, and it is also true in our spiritual life; it is something that has to be worked at―never on God's part, for He loves with an unchanging love; but on our part, it is needful. But God does continually reassure us of His love. It is often at times when we least expect it that we find these reassurances of His love, and how beautiful it is to see them.
So Jonathan's heart was touched and he responds, and gives everything that he has to David. It says he gave his robe; that was his title to the throne. Next, he gave his garments; that which was his right. Then he gave his sword, for it was no longer necessary to defend himself; David was one who was well able to do that. Then he gave his bow; perhaps the bow speaks of distance warfare, that is, things which are not so close―a little farther off. (You know, none of us can see tomorrow; I don't know what is going to happen in your life tomorrow, nor do you know what will happen in mine. But the Lord knows. Will you put your bow into the hands of the Lord? Say, "I can't see where that arrow is going to fall, but I know my Lord does.") Then he gave his girdle; that which was the closest to himself, that touched his own flesh. He gave it all to David, and he wanted to be in David's company. This was indeed a grand start in his life; perhaps I should say a fresh start, for Jonathan had shown devotedness before.
But now, because he has this deep affection for David, Jonathan has to face a very difficult situation. Saul becomes very jealous of David. He doesn't like the idea that the women should come out and say, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." He said, "they are giving far more glory to David than to me." He was jealous of David. Let me just say this: Do not allow that horrible weed of jealousy to grow in your heart! It has caused more trouble in homes, assemblies, and personal lives than perhaps everything else. Always, always, carry a forgiving spirit―no matter what anyone does, leave it with the Lord; He can straighten it out far better than you or I can. One of the best ways to get jealousy out of our hearts is to pray for the person that did the unkind thing. Just get down on your knees and start to pray; like Job, for God did not restore Job until he prayed for his friends. If someone has done something mean to you, get down on your knees and start to pray for them; you will be surprised; you won't be able to hold the bitterness any longer.
So, Jonathan loved David, but king Saul has this jealousy toward him and he eyed David. If we go on in the chapter, we see that David had to be very careful. It says in verse 5, he "behaved himself wisely." In verse 14: "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways." Verse 15: "He behaved himself very wisely." We do need wisdom to know how to handle situations that come in our lives. It is not easy. Often we just have to look up to the Lord and ask Him just how we should act in the situations that arise. I don't always know how to act wisely; but the Lord does! He invites us to come:
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him" (James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)). Jonathan felt the need of it very, very much when he realized the situation there in the court, when Saul had these feelings toward David.
Turn to chapter 19: 1-7:"And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: and I will go out and stand before my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: for he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou rawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past."
Here we find Jonathan putting forth an effort to try and change the thoughts of king Saul toward David. But it was all in vain, he was an unregenerate man. Perhaps you may have that friend that I was speaking of before; you have gone and talked with that friend, and you have thought, "I am sure that he is changing―I am sure that she is changing―and I just don't want to break off that friendship." That was how Jonathan felt. But, down in his heart, he really didn't want to leave the comforts of the court of king Saul. And, perhaps there is something in your life, some thing that is holding you back from being wholly devoted to the Lord. You have, so to speak, recognized the wonderful work that He has done for you upon the cross of Calvary; you have said from your heart that you belong to Him, and that you want to please Him. But you still have something that you are clinging to―some friendship, or some thing, that is holding you back. Dear Jonathan thought that by talking to king Saul he would change him. And, for a time, it seemed that he had accomplished something, and that king Saul really did have a different attitude toward David. But king Saul was an unregenerate man, and there was no real change.
Now, turn to chapter 20:11-17: "And Jonathan said unto David,
Come, and let us go our into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee; the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the Lord be with thee, as he /lath been with my father.
And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not: but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever: no, not when the Lord bath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to sware again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul."
David is outside, and he realizes the hatred that king Saul has toward him; but Jonathan doesn't seem to fully realize it. He thinks he may have effected some kind of a change in his father, and he says to David, "I am going to go and find out really what my father's attitude is." But he also asks David to make a promise that he would show kindness to his household afterward. And, I might just say that Jonathan seemed to forget this; because the very time that Jonathan was slain he had committed his child to someone who didn't know the heart of David. So, when the tidings came that king Saul and Jonathan had been slain on the battlefield, what did the nurse do? She took up and carried away his boy Mephibosheth from the very person who wanted to bless him. And that is how Mephibosheth became lame. True, in kindness David sought him out and brought him back, and placed him at his table, lame on both his feet. But, I believe, brethren, there is a lesson for us of the government of God in the family of Jonathan here. He didn't really give David the place he should have; and, think of him, committing his child to someone who didn't know anything about the love that was in the heart of David toward him and his household. What a sad effect it had on his household.
Now Jonathan is going to find out just what his father's attitude really was. Verse 25: "And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty." Verse 33: "And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David." Now Jonathan is going to find out what is really in the heart of Saul toward David. When he spoke well of David, and when David's seat was empty and he made excuse for him, then this bitterness comes out on the part of Saul, and he casts a javelin; not, in this case, at David, but at Jonathan himself. Then, Jonathan realizes exactly what the attitude of his father was.
So the Lord does allow situations that bring out the enmity of the world toward us. When that enmity comes out, what is our decision? Will we still walk with them, and say, "Well they are not so bad; there are a lot of nice things about them?" Even David could say that Saul was pleasant in his life. There were nice things about Saul; but Saul was an enemy of the Lord, and he was an enemy of God's king. So, we have to watch, dear young people. There is a verse that says, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts" (Psa. 119:6363I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. (Psalm 119:63)). If you have been following this story you can see the devotedness of Jonathan, how devoted he was to the Lord and to the Lord's cause; then how his heart was stirred by the great victory that had been won by David, when the giant was slain; how he then gives everything to David, and how he wants to speak for him. But there is one thing in which he is going to be tested: is he going to accompany David in his rejection? This was the great thing.
And this is the question in your life and mine: are we going to walk in company with the world? You say, "I love the Lord Jesus and I want to please Him. But, I can't give up and break with this little world circle in which I live. I don't think it is quite as bad as you are saying, brother Gordon; I think there are a lot of nice things about these people; yet you say that I should break with them." This seemed to be the conflict that was going on in the life of Jonathan. He loved David. But, was he going to accompany him? Someone has said, "He gave everything but his shoes." He didn't seem to want to walk with him. And, if you follow the Lord Jesus (as we had yesterday), it is going to cost something. You must take up your cross and follow Him; you must be willing to lose your life in this world. Was Jonathan willing to give up the comfort of the court of Saul in order to follow David to the cave of Adullam; to follow him when he was hunted on the mountain side? Or, was he going to say, "I'll just have some of these comforts, and I will just stay at home; but I will always be true to David in my heart."
Perhaps you are making that kind of a decision, "I will be true, but I don't want to give my all to the Lord Jesus; I don't want to really have to come out and follow Him fully." I ask you, is He worthy of it? Is heaven going to be happy for you? Are you going to have anything of the world there; anything of that which ministers to the flesh in that glorious place? No! In that blessed place Christ is all! Do you want to have a happy life down here? May the Lord grant that you and I would be content to give up, in order that we might follow the Lord Jesus here.
Verse 34, "So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame." Then he goes out in the field. He has made an agreement with David about the shooting of the arrows; but it was only to show David that there was no use for him to return to the court of Saul―he was unwelcome there. Now, verse 41: "And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, between my seed and thy seed forever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city."
If Jonathan had any doubts about his father's attitude, now he knew. His father had tried to cast a javelin, and David had escaped. His father had then cast a javelin at him; he said, "If you are going to be a companion of that David, then you are going to have a javelin too." Now he has to make a choice: was he going to follow David, or was he going to go back to the city? It is a touching scene here-to see him go out there and talk to David, knowing that David was unwelcome in the court of Saul. They embraced one another; they kissed one another; they wept. But David exceeded, because David loved Jonathan far more than Jonathan loved him. Nevertheless, we do not find David reproaching Jonathan; he didn't say, "Why won't you follow with me into the cave of Adullam-the place of rejection?" If his love for David did not make him want to do it, David did not ask him. That speaks to my heart. God does not say, "You have got to do this, and you have got to do that." All He says is, "Is My love sufficient to draw you; is it enough to make you want to give up the world, in order that you might follow Me and be in the place where you can enjoy My company?"
There are some very bright points in the life of Jonathan; but this is a most sad point-to think that he knows now the whole attitude of king Saul, and he has to make a decision. He went back to the city; and David goes to the cave of Adullam, to be rejected with a few men who were content to share his rejection with him. What a choice! Dear young people, we are making choices constantly. There is no one who comes to this General Meeting who does not make some kind of a choice, some kind of a decision. You may go away saying, "Well, I do want to follow the Lord; but I do not want to break with all my friends." Or, you are going to say, "I want to follow the Lord; and, if it costs me a separation from someone that has been close to me, the Lord must come first. He has won my heart." The love of Christ constraineth us-that we should not henceforth live unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again (2 Cor. 5:14,1514For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14‑15)).
Turn now to chapter 23:16-18: "And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house." This is their last meeting! Jonathan knew that David was right, and he knew that he was making a mistake. It didn't seem to change his course, but he did have enough love for David to go out and find him there in the wood, and say, "David, I still love you." And David's love to him was still as great as ever; unchanged by all that had happened. Jonathan said, "when you come to the kingdom, I will be next to you." But he wasn't; he was dead! He lost that! "If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." Every act in the believer's life has present and eternal consequences! This was a loss that Jonathan could never regain, because he had made his choice. You can see where his heart was, and where his conscience was-going out there and saying those words to David. But, David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
Poor Jonathan was hopeful that some how, some way, things were going to work all right; that when king David came to the throne, he was going to be next to him. But that is not the next page of the story. Turn to chapter 31:1, 2: "Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons." Doesn't it make you sad to read this? He had made a choice; he had opportunities; he had seen what was in his father's heart. He could have changed even when he went out to David in the wood, and said, "David, I really made a mistake in going back to the court of my father; from now on I want to be with you." But he didn't. God gives us opportunities to turn back; and if you are going in the wrong direction, I beseech you to turn back; it is not too late. He had an opportunity there in the wood, but, "he went back to his house."
We set courses in our lives, we make decisions. And, how important those decisions are! I say to those who are growing a little older, for, as said before, I have watched a lot of young people: I have seen some start out so well. But then, when the real test came―a test of being alone, of not having a friend; a boy friend or a girl friend, or something else that they hoped they would have to make life easier―many, whom I love to think of as godly young people, turned back. Afterward, they couldn't change their course, it was set; it was in the wrong direction! O, how important it is that the love of Christ constrains us, and that we live for Him! We are going to meet Jonathan in glory. But I fear―I have to say―that a great part of his life was lost. I am quite sure that God does not forget the things that were for Himself, because He never forgets. It says, "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name" (Heb. 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)). He forgets our sins, but He never forgets the smallest thing we do for Him!
Now, turn to 2 Sam. 1:2323Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. (2 Samuel 1:23): "Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided." Verses 25-27: "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! 0 Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!" Here we find a sad note at the end; but also something that encourages my heart as I read it. Jonathan had made a choice; and, since they were not separated in their lives, they were not separated in death. Were there nice things about Saul? Yes, David could say that. But, they were not separated in their lives, or in death. So, Jonathan was gone, and David felt it very keenly. But the little bright spot that I think is so nice is what he has to say about Jonathan in the last part of verse 26: "Thy love to me was wonderful." That is one of the most thrilling expressions to me in the Bible. Whose love is he talking about? He is not talking about the love of Christ, the love of David; he is talking about the love of Jonathan. You say, "Jonathan didn't have very much love when he wouldn't even go to follow David in his path of rejection." But there was a great deal of love, and David had not forgotten it.
I say again, dear young people, the Lord is not going to forget anything you have done for Him―not the slightest thing, even a thought! It says in connection with the judgment seat of Christ, "Then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)). That is in the portion where He is telling us that He knows the counsels of the heart. Even a good desire in your heart the Lord values―every little response! It is thrilling to me to hear David say that about Jonathan. He could have said, "O, Jonathan, you let me down; you were unfaithful to me." He didn't say that. All that was burned up, so to speak; but he picked out the little bit there was for him. Would God there had been more. And, would God there were more in your life and mine for the Lord Jesus. He gave everything for us. Nothing was too great for Him to give for us―He left His throne; He bore for us the shame of the cross; He bore our sins; He did everything that love could do! Hasn't He done enough to win your heart and mine? May the Lord grant that the decisions that are made here will be to follow the Lord Jesus; that we might not just be satisfied that we know Him as our Savior, that heaven is our home and that we are going to be with Him; but may we know the blessedness of living our lives down here in some little measure for that blessed Savior who loved us, and gave Himself for us!