We have already seen that Jonathan was a man of faith and courage (14:1-15). Jonathan found a soul brother in David, a man who committed himself to trusting and obeying God as he did. This common purpose on the deepest level of life is what accounts for the love Jonathan and David shared for one another (v. 1).
Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (vv. 1, 3; cf. Lev. 19:18). He loved David, as he should have, since David had committed himself to glorifying God and fulfilling His will even at the expense of his personal safety. Some homosexuals have tried to use the writer's statements of Jonathan's love for David as support that their lifestyle has good biblical precedent.199However the Hebrew word aheb, translated "love"here, nowhere else describes homosexual desire or activity. Rather when homosexual relations are in view the Holy Spirit used the word yada, translated "know"in the sense of "have sex with"(cf. Gen. 19:5; Judg. 19:22).
Saul responded to Jonathan's affection for David, and presumably David's bravery, by keeping David with him even more than the king had done previously (v. 2; cf. 14:52).
Evidently Jonathan realized David's gifts and God's will for David's life (cf. 23:17), and he humbly deferred to him (vv. 3-4).
"This is a virtual abdication by Jonathan, the crown prince."200
The crown prince of Israel gives us one of the classic examples of self-humbling for the glory of God and the welfare of His people that we have in all of Scripture (cf. Phil. 2:5-8). Jonathan's humility is all the more remarkable since chronological references in Samuel seem to indicate that Jonathan was about 30 years older than David.201His response to David's anointing was appropriate, and it contrasts sharply with Saul's response, which follows.
". . . when Jonathan took off his robe (a symbol of the Israelite kingdom; cf. 15:27-28 . . .) and gave it to David (v. 4), he was in effect transferring his own status as heir apparent to him . . ."202
"The covenant of friendship referred to in verse 3 was a unilateral (binding on one party only) covenant in which Jonathan committed himself to David with complete disregard for self. The gift given by Jonathan served to ratify the covenant and honor David."203
Jonathan's selfless action reflects his submission to Samuel's oracle that Saul would not have a continuing dynasty (13:13-14). Rather than trying to perpetuate Saul's dynasty, as Abner later tried to do (2 Sam. 2:8-9), godly Jonathan turned over the symbols of the crown prince to David.
"In our political world, where power plays such an important role, what would be thought of a prince who voluntarily renounced his throne in favor of a friend whose character and godly faith he admired?"204
David's commitment to God resulted in his prospering (the fertility motif). David acted wisely, the literal meaning of the Hebrew word translated "prospered"(vv. 5, 14, 15), also because God was with him (vv. 12, 14; cf. 16:13). Not only did Jonathan love David, but all the people including even Saul's servants, those people who were most loyal to the king, did too (v. 5). God blesses personally those who relate to Him properly. They also become channels of blessing to others (cf. 2:30; Gen. 12:2).
Saul may or may not have known at this time that Samuel had anointed David. His growing jealousy seems to have mounted over David's increasing ability, success, and popularity with the people that resulted from God's help (grace).
