Great Friends & Horrible Jealousy
1 Samuel 18:1–4
Paul J. Bucknell
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1 Samuel 18 places covenant friendship beside destructive jealousy, showing how love gives while fear, envy, and anger consume.
Purpose of 1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 18 shows how jealousy can lead to anger, delusion, murder, and paranoia. King Saul is the focus here; don’t forget to consider what David was experiencing. David transitions from being Saul’s favorite assistant to his worst enemy. He learns firsthand about coping with misunderstandings, bitterness, and jealousy—challenges many of us face at different times in our lives.
Introduction
Jealousy can be deadly, but the process isn't simple. Anger and bitterness must grow, giving the evil one a chance to distort a person's perception before they strike out against another. We hope we don't imitate Saul, but this passage provides helpful insight into how someone might do so much harm.
A. Deep Friendships (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt (1 Samuel 18:1-4).
Some friendships aren’t chosen; they develop naturally. We shouldn’t wait for such special friendships, as they might never happen, but if they do, be very grateful for them.
After Saul interviewed David for the battle against Goliath (chapter 17), Jonathan, King Saul’s son, grew to love David. They became best friends. ‘Loved him as himself’ reflects a genuine love without selfish motives. Many people have never experienced such a friendship and dismiss its existence. It is rare, but it does exist. This is how Jonathan loved David.
There could not have been a greater joy than to find that Jonathan’s father would actually bring David to live at their royal home. I remember how excited I was when young and found that a friend could come over. I wanted those play times to last forever. But now, David could actually live there in his house!
Jonathan, a prince about thirty years older than David, formed their friendship through kind acts and special gifts. David had little besides his sincere friendship from God. Along with these gifts was a covenant of friendship. No details are given about what this meant, but we catch a glimpse of its importance when Jonathan protected David from his father, who was seeking his death.
- What makes for a great friendship?
- How are true friendships different from fornication and homosexual relationships?
Related extended study: Exploring Deep Friendships in 1 Samuel 18:1–4.