2 Samuel 1:25-26
“How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
The above lines are taken from a poem, a song, that David composed immediately after he heard of the death of Saul and his son, Jonathan. David wept for them both, but particularly, Jonathan. The friendship between David and Jonathan was one of the strongest friendships talked about in the Bible. It would be hard pressed to say that any other relationship between two people on this earth, spoken about in the Scriptures, would compare to the love they had for each other. They were "knit" together in love. That bound can only happen when God is the glue that holds them together. This was not some typical human condition. This was a tight bound of friendship that was initiated by God and held together by God. Despite Saul's ugly pursuit of David, Jonathan had stood by David's side. Jonathan had warned David of his father's threats and pending attacks. (Yet, it should be noted that earlier in this song, David writes about how strong Jonathan and Saul, his father, relationship was.) Having someone on this earth that we are deeply friends with is a blessing that can only come from God. Most people hold friendships because they get something from the relationship. In today's society, you can "friend" someone and then, the next day, "unfriend" them. David and Jonathan had a relationship that was an example to us and an example of what God wants the Body of Christ to be: The Church. Notice what Paul says about believers he is writing to in Colossians:
Colossians 2:1-2
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,
Notice that Paul states he has a love for these believers in Colossee and in Ladoicea and "for all who have not see me fact to face." Paul had a love for the brothers in Christ who were "knit" together in love. Paul is telling us that in the Body of Christ we don't have to like everyone but we are knit together in love. Paul is telling us we don't even have to know everyone, but we are knit together in love. The truth is, God has put us together and united by the blood of Christ. We are ONE body and that means we don't allow any petty back biting and internal bickering to tear that bound apart. David knew the Jonathan would stand by him to matter what. So, too, should be the household of God. Yet, we fight over such minor things. We divide over such silly methodology. Despite the issues with the kingdom and the throne and the anger of his father, Jonathan was able to maintain his relationship in love for David. That is great love.
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