In a world where the word love is thrown around like an old shoe, it’s a little hard to determine what real love is. If you go to the dictionary this is what you will find; “Love means to be deeply committed and connected to someone or something.” It’s no wonder we use the word so loosely if this is how we define love. The most satisfying example of love in the Bible is unselfish love. This is a love that puts others first, not just once and a while, but at all times. This love governs how a person will act and think.
As I have been reading through I Samuel, I find Jonathan to be a person who profoundly exhibits this unselfish love. We first see Jonathan befriending David in I Samuel chapter 18. I love how Matthew Henry expresses the feelings that Jonathan has for David. In verse 1, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David. These kindred spirits had so much in common that, as David with modest manliness answered the king’s questions, an intense feeling of admiration grew up in the young warrior’s heart, and a friendship was the result that ranks among the purest and noblest examples of true manly affection. The word rendered knit means knotted, tied together firmly by indissoluble bonds.” Jonathan had witnessed David as a courageous young warrior defending Israel when no one else would. He understood that David was selfless and sold out to God. Jonathan took his robe, his garments, his sword, his bow, and his girdle and gave them to David. His robe was the type worn only by the wealthy. The rest of the articles are things belonging to a warrior of high esteem. He now bestowed them upon David.
I Samuel 18:4 “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.”
Jonathan was unselfish in his love for David. He was honoring his friend and he looked out for him. In I Samuel chapter 19, the story unravels as Saul plots to kill David. He had thrown a javelin at David twice and David had stayed away because he knew the heart of Saul wanted to kill him. Jonathan now understands his father’s intent and warns David of the impending danger. He goes to David and tells him that whatever his soul desires he will do it. Again, he is putting himself last and David first, as he tells him to flee. This happens over and over, In man’s eyes Jonathan should be the next king, but Jonathan knows that God’s will is for David to gain the throne as king after Saul.
I Samuel 20:4 “Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.”
Jonathan was willing to sacrifice his very life for David. This is selfless love. In the world’s eyes, Jonathan gained nothing from his relationship with David. He lost the opportunity to be king, but that was not his desire. Jonathan, like David, sought to please God. Jonathan and David have one last time together before Jonathan’s death. They hugged and wept knowing this would be the last time they would see each other until they would meet in Heaven.
I Samuel 20:40-42 “And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. 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, and between my seed and thy seed forever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”
While David and Jonathan’s friendship is one we can learn from and one we can admire, the ultimate selfless love was by God and His Son. Selfless love is one of giving, not getting. In John 3:16, we see that “God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son.” In John 10:18, Jesus makes a bold statement that no one took his life from Him. That includes the Roman soldiers and the Jewish leaders. He laid down His life of His own free will. God the Father gave, but so did God the Son. Many would give their life for a loved one or even a dear friend, but God’s offer extended to His enemies, those who hated His Son and murdered Him like a common criminal. They are perfect, they didn’t need us we needed them, yet, their love extends to all who would believe. This is unselfish love to the max!
John 3:16“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
