David and Jonathan were natural rivals – they should have been enemies. They both aspired to be king and Jonathan was the legal heir to the throne. Instead, they were like brothers. They loved each other with a self-giving, self-sacrificing love. We are told that Jonathan loved David “as himself” and stripped himself of his princely robes, armor, and weapons and gave them to David. Essentially, Jonathan was surrendering his claim to the throne of Israel in favor of David.
Continue reading “Can Political Opponents be Friends?”
