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David and Jonathan were unlikely friends. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, which made him the next in line for the throne of the King of Israel. Yet Jonathan’s loyalty wasn’t to his self-advancement, it was to the Lord. God had anointed David to be the next king and Jonathan honored that. Jonathan even protected David several times when his lunatic father tried to kill David. King Saul even called his son out for his loyalty to David and told him that his actions were jeopardizing his advancement to the throne. Despite all of that, Jonathan initiated a covenant between him and David (1 Samuel 20:16-17). Sadly, Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle.

Sometime later, once he was king, David showed his loyalty to Jonathan. Instead of killing all of the heirs to the throne, as was often done in ancient times, David sought out any of Jonathan’s living relatives. One son was found, and instead of killing him, David restored all of his land and treated him like his own son. Both men were friends and loyal to each other, but they were also loyal to the Lord. Jonathan sought to help God’s anointed, despite himself. And David sought to honor his covenant with Jonathan, despite himself. The most solid and special friendships we find on this side of heaven are when both people are loyal to God and each other. When we meet these two men in heaven, it will be sweet to see how their covenant friendship continues even into eternity.