1. Both Jonathan and David deeply respected God-given authority:
Jonathan showed respect for his father Saul despite Saul's poor character.* (Ephesians 6:2-3)
David showed respect for King Saul as God's appointed king (Romans 13:1-2). Despite Saul's attempts to kill and discredit David, David refused to dishonor Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-13).
2. Both Jonathan and David deeply respected God's ability to do the impossible.
Before Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeated the whole Philistine army, Jonathan said,"Nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" (1 Samuel 14:6 NLT)
Before killing Goliath, David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies ...he will put all of you in our power.”" (1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT).
These qualities may seem unrelated, but they both result from a deep respect for God and His Word. What kind of faith do you have in these areas?
* If you read the life of Jonathan in Scripture, you will find that Jonathan disapproved of some of his father's choices and rescued David from being murdered by his father, but he fought loyally alongside Saul until his death.
Bible Study
1. Respect for God-given authority.
God promises to bless us when we respect our parents and others in authority even if it doesn't make sense. When we complain against authority and excuse our disrespect, we show distrust of God's ability to do what He says.(Important note: God never expects us to do something wrong simply to please those in authority, but He does expect us to do things that are inconvenient.)
Ephesians 6:2-3: “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Romans 13:1-2: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For more on our responsibility to government, see "It's the Law."
2. God is able to do ANYTHING He wants.
Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Mark 10:27: Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Were David and Jonathan bisexual?
I wish it weren't necessary to address this question, but there is so much false information available on this subject that I think it's important for Christians to answer this question Biblically. The reason (the only reason) for claims that Jonathan and David were homosexual is to gain acceptance for homosexuality. There is no evidence for this belief, and a great deal of evidence to disprove it.
1. Every mention of homosexuality in Old and New Testaments is negative. It is clearly condemned.
2. David is esteemed by God, and God would not esteem someone who unashamedly carried on a homosexual or bisexual lifestyle. God clearly rebuked David for his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. The only reason David was restored to God and continued to have his favor was because he repented sincerely. And he still paid a heavy price for those sins.
3. The Scriptures homosexuals use to "prove" David and Jonathan were homosexual say nothing to support their view:
1 Samuel 18:1-3: After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
The type of relationship Jonathan had with David is a type we are ALL called to have with each other: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30). But it is rare for us to have this kind of love because we are selfish beings. In addition, Philippians 2:2 says we should be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" with our fellow believers. David and Jonathan had a unique relationship, but it was wholesome and godly.
2 Samuel 1:26: I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
These words are part of David's grief over his close friend's death. Perhaps David was never as close to any wife as he was to Jonathan. Perhaps this is hyperbole, something we all use, especially when eulogizing loved ones.
We know David married many women, fathered many children, and lusted after women. It would be ridiculous to think he was saying he preferred homosexual to heterosexual relationships, especially based on this passage alone.
God gives clear commands against homosexuality, yet when God speaks of David's life, he says he obeyed all of God's commands except in his situation with Bathsheba and Uriah (1 Kings 15:5).
Both Jonathan and David married, had children and lived heterosexual lifestyles. Homosexual or bisexual inferences in these Scriptures are totally manufactured. They are not present in the text, lifestyles, or theme of these men's lives.
© copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com
All Scripture NIV unless otherwise noted
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