The Attractive Quality of Godliness: 1 Samuel 18:1-5
Godly people want life to be about God. He deserves the credit and the glory. God makes all things possible.
David and Jonathan become instant friends. This is good for David, because Johnathan is Saul’s son and it will bring notoriety and skill to his life. This is bad for David, because Jonathan is Saul’s son and as the conflict between David and Saul heats up, David will get into tough spots.
Most friendships occur through a common bond. The common bond is frequently shared character traits, or at least character traits enjoyed by each other. Sometimes shared experiences serve as the catalyst for friendship. Sometimes bonds are created through having common foes or overcoming common obstacles. In most circumstances, an event or trait brings people together.
From the stories giving mention to these two men thus far in 1 Samuel, it shouldn’t be any surprise Jonathan and David were immediately drawn to one another. They both fought against incredible odds and delivered the Hebrew people from a Philistine challenge. Jonathan and his armor bearer took on a Philistine encampment and routed it. David took on a massive warrior and started a rout of the entire Philistine army.
From this description, it might seem like their fighting prowess and reputation for great battles forms the common bond. I don’t believe this is the case. Perhaps it is better to say that this explanation hides a deeper bond. Often, warriors with big reputations became rivals, not friends, because their reputations challenge one another and made it difficult for either person to be the best. There is more to the immediacy of Jonathan’s and David’s bond than having similar battle experience.
Jonathan fought his battle as a tool in the hand of God. Jonathan went out and fought knowing God would make victory possible because Jonathan was responding to God’s call. The same is true about David. David stepped up and fought Goliath because God fought with him. David and Jonathan didn’t just win significant battles against impossible odds. Such an event would have only generated massive egos. David and Jonathan won battles against massive odds because the power of God made it possible. Seeing their actions through this lens demonstrates how they can remain humble underneath the weight of their achievements.
David and Jonathan see a desire to follow God in each other. They both recognize the ability to humbly acknowledge God’s power in their life. God unites David and Jonathan, not battle prowess, number of kills, or reputation. God brought these men together at the right time to illustrate what humble leadership under God can look like.
When God brings godly people together, there should be no surprise when a bond forms. Godly people enjoy hearing stories retelling how God worked in the lives of others. Godly people don’t want life to be about them. Godly people want life to be about God.
