17. Jonathan & David - A Covenant Of Godly Friendship Series

Jonathan & David - A Covenant of Godly Friendship

July 2, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

1 Samuel 18

Introduction: The Kind of Friendship Hell Hates

There’s a kind of friendship that hell can’t stand, but it is a necessity to the believer’s life.

It’s the kind that isn’t based on convenience or common interest — but covenant.

It’s not built in the shallow waters of comfort, but forged in the fire of faith, loyalty, and spiritual mission.

It’s the kind of unity that makes Satan tremble — because when two believers are knit together by God, they become a weapon of heaven’s making.

In a world where betrayal, competition, and isolation are the norm… godly friendship is radical.

In a Church fractured by division, pride, and petty disagreements… Spirit-born unity is revolutionary.

And yet — it’s what Jesus prayed for in His final hours: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).

Satan has always tried to divide what God joins together — whether it’s marriages, churches, or friends. If he can’t destroy you outright, he’ll isolate you, whisper lies, stir suspicion, and sever spiritual bonds.

That’s why the friendship of Jonathan and David matters so much.

This isn’t just a feel-good story about two guys who got along.

This is a glimpse into what happens when God weaves two souls together for a purpose greater than themselves.

Jonathan was a king’s son. David was a shepherd’s son.

But in God’s eyes — they were brothers. Warriors. Covenantal friends.

And their friendship stood in stark contrast to the toxic jealousy, insecurity, and manipulation of Saul.

As we study 1 Samuel 18 today, here’s what I want you to see: When the Holy Spirit knits souls together, hell will try to unravel them. But God-honoring friendship — born of loyalty, sacrifice, and truth — is one of the Church’s greatest weapons in the battle for unity.

I. A Bond Beyond Brotherhood (vv. 1–4)

1 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1–4)

Chapter 17 ends with David standing before King Saul, fresh off the battlefield, still holding Goliath’s severed head. (That’s not just a power move — that’s spiritual authority in action.)

David has done what Israel’s seasoned warriors, including Saul and Jonathan, would not: he faced the enemy by faith in the living God. And something ignites in Jonathan’s heart.

Jonathan saw something in David he had longed for — someone who believed God the same way he did. Rewind to 1 Samuel 14, and you’ll remember Jonathan saying to his armor-bearer: “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

That same warrior faith lived in David. And when their eyes met, their spirits recognized each other. Not in competition. Not in envy. But in divine kinship.

This is the moment when the Holy Spirit knits two souls together for a God-sized mission.

The Hebrew word qashar means “to bind, fasten, or tie together.” It’s covenantal, not casual. This is the same language used in describing deep loyalty or even binding oaths in Hebrew culture. This was not emotional affection alone — it was spiritual loyalty. A unity forged not in bloodline or background, but in belief.

This is what true Christian friendship looks like: soul-level solidarity in the things of God.

Jonathan enters into a covenant with David — and it’s nothing short of royal surrender:

He gives David his robe – a symbol of identity and position as heir to the throne.

His armor, sword, bow, and belt – symbols of strength, authority, and trust.

It’s as if Jonathan says, “I recognize the anointing of God on your life, and I will not fight it — I will serve it.”

Remember, as Saul’s son, Jonathan is not only the prince, but as the first born, he is technically, the Crowned Prince, of Israel.

That’s humility. That’s honor. And that’s a covenant.

Refuting the Nonsense:

Let’s address the elephant in the liberal living room: Some have twisted this text into a claim that Jonathan and David had a homosexual relationship.

Let’s be plain — this is biblically, linguistically, and morally absurd.

The word “love” used here (ahav) is also used of Abraham loving Isaac, of Israel loving the Lord.

This love is chesed — covenantal, loyal, selfless, God-honoring love.