The book of 1 Samuel 18:1-4 tells us about a strange, surreal scene with unimaginable content that can be described in four sentences:

1. The encounter between an heir prince and a shepherd;
2. The meeting and attachment between two people who, humanly speaking, should be adversaries (the future king according to men and the future king according to God);
3. The birth of an inexplicable and incomprehensible friendship;
4. The mystery of God attaching people to us, making them channels of blessings for us and our posterity.

Notice in this account that David did nothing and made no effort for the attachment with Jonathan to exist. God alone inclined the heart of Prince Jonathan to attach himself to David.

1 Samuel 18:1 recounts this incredible scene: “David had finished speaking to Saul. And from then on, Jonathan’s soul was bound to David’s soul, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” The French Common Version says, “Jonathan, Saul’s son, became attached to the young man and began to love him as himself.” Glory to God for what He alone is capable of doing! The Parole de Vie version says, “Jonathan, Saul’s son, was attached to David with all his heart”; the Semeur version adds the notion of depth to show how far God can go: “Jonathan was deeply attached to David and began to love him as himself.” The New Bible Second version says, “Jonathan’s soul was bound to David’s soul.”

1 Samuel 18:3 reports, according to the Louis Segond version, this strange act that David experienced: “Jonathan made a covenant with David”; the Semeur version says, “Jonathan made a pact of friendship with David.” And 1 Samuel 18:4 speaks of the profound acts Jonathan performed to seal this alliance that would change the life of young shepherd David: “He took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, even his sword, his bow, and his belt.” This encounter, which gave birth to a friendship that didn’t even last two years, marked David’s life.

At two other moments in his journey, this is evident:

1. At Jonathan’s death, David uttered strong words (misinterpreted by some to justify a way of being). In 2 Samuel 1:26, David says, “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” The French Common Version says, “My heart suffers because of you, Jonathan, my brother, my best friend…”; the Semeur version says, “You, my best friend, who was dear to me…”
2. In 2 Samuel 9:1, the Bible shows us how David, having just ascended to the throne, remembers the covenant made with Jonathan, wanting to repay a debt to his progeny: “David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’”

Three reasons why Davids should feel indebted to the Jonathans we meet at some point in our journey:

1. The “Jonathans” serve as our “coach” but also as a mentor because tradition (if we can trust it) says that Jonathan helped the young Bethlehemite learn good manners and palace protocol, that is, how to dress, how to behave, how to speak, etc. He would have taught him not only what to do but also what not to do;
2. 2 Samuel 19:1-7 and 1 Samuel 20:1-42 show us how Jonathan became David’s informant, saving him from certain death decided by Saul, his father;
3. 1 Samuel 23:15-17 reports not only Jonathan’s visit to the wilderness but also the strong acts he performed to encourage David at a time when he needed it most, almost playing the role of a prophet;

NB: If Louis Segond at the end of verse 16 simply says, “He strengthened his trust in God,” the T.O.B version says, “He encouraged David in the name of God”; and the Semeur version says, “He went to David to encourage him by strengthening his trust in God.” (…)

This text is an excerpt from the book “The Impact of Encounters in Destiny” written by Roland DALO.

We invite you to read the following article “Timothy and Paul.”