Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. – 1 Samuel 18:4

Today's Scripture Reading (April 12, 2022): 1 Samuel 18

There is too much truth in Fyodor Dostoevsky's comment, from "Notes from Underground," that "I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea." It sums up well the feelings of this world. For the most part, in 1941, the United States was willing to let Europe burn as long as it didn't interfere with the things the relative luxury to which Americans had become accustomed. All of Europe could go to hell as long as the people of the United States had the luxury of peace. But then, on December 7, 1941, Japan made one of the worst mistakes of military history; they attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan intended to give the United States a bloody nose to keep the American military on the sideline of World War II. But instead, they woke the giant, and the United States entered the conflict to support France, Britain, and their allies. But the United States' entry into the war didn't alter the reality that we are a selfish people, and we will rarely get involved in a conflict unless there is something in it for us. Maybe the most recent and obvious example of Dostoevsky's principle is found in those nations that deplore the Russian aggression into Ukraine but refused to stop buying oil products from them for a significant time. To paraphrase Dostoevsky, "I can say, let Russia go to hell, but I should always have my Russian oil." I know we would not put it into those words, but that does not change the intent of our actions. Our attitude is that we don't really care what happens in Ukraine as long as it doesn't affect our lives (or our gas prices at the pump). Our selfishness knows no bounds.

Jonathan and David were a strange pair. Jonathan was the oldest son of the reigning king. To say that Jonathan was a prince is not strong enough. In the view of Israel, Jonathan was the crown prince of Israel, and everyone expected that he would be the next king to lead the nation. David was the youngest son of a poor rancher. Jonathan was about five years older than David. But what bound them together was a shared belief in the God of Israel.

Jonathan and David's friendship grew closer until one day, Jonathan handed David his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt. From our position in history, the symbolism is obvious. It was as if Jonathan was telling David that he knew that David would be king one day, and Jonathan would be his servant.

But, at that moment, I am not sure that that was quite it. It was not that Jonathan was telling David that he knew that David would one day become king. The message was actually much more powerful. It was Jonathan telling David that he loved him more than he loved the idea of being king. One day, Jonathan would realize that David would succeed Saul as king. But that moment had not yet arrived. But Jonathan was saying to David that he would give everything he had to make David happy. In a world run by selfishness, it was an incredible gesture. And David, as he received the armor, responded with the same kind of generosity. There is no indication that David ever lorded his knowledge that he would be King of Israel over his friend. Like all true friendships, David and Jonathan just wanted the best out of life for each other.        

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 19