David’s dramatic victory over Goliath and the Philistines catapulted him into his future. No longer just a young lad from the least of tribes with only stories of killing a lion and a bear on his resume. He was now in the presence of the king. This leap required an ally. God provided David a friend, knit them together, thereby illustrating the nature of the friend that sticks closer than a brother.
God’s Provision
Their friendship was God’s provision. David needed an ally in the palace. Saul’s unravelling made the palace a treacherous place.
Knit Together
In 1 Samuel 18:1 we read how the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Both men knew the God who leads into victory.
Closer Than a Brother
Their relationship is indicative of the friendship believers have with Jesus. Jonathan, son of the king, made a covenant with one of the least of the tribes of Israel, just as Jesus, the Son of the living God, makes covenant with believers. He removed his coat and gave it to David, as Jesus gives to us robes of righteousness. Then he gave him his armour; his sword and his belt. As we live in Christ, we have weapons that are not carnal. In Jesus, the believer finds protection and much more. God provided David a friend, knit them together, thereby illustrating the nature of the friend that sticks closer than a brother.