Bible Commentaries

The Character of Jonathan

1 Samuel 20

"One knows not," says Dr. Blaikie, "whether most to wonder at the faith of Jonathan or the sweetness of his nature. It is David, the poor outlaw, with hardly a man to stand by him, that appears to Jonathan the man of power, the man who can dispose of all lives and sway all destinies; while Jonathan, the King's son and confidential adviser, is somehow reduced to helplessness and unable even to save himself. But was there ever such a transaction entered into with such sweetness of temper? The calmness of Jonathan in contemplating the strange reverse of fortune, both to himself and David, is exquisitely beautiful... it is manly and glorious while it is meek and humble; such a combination of the noble and the submissive as was shown afterwards, in its highest form, in the one perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ."

References.—XX-XXII.—W. M. Taylor, David King of Israel, p65. XX:3.—H. Woodcock, Sermon Outlines, p252. J. M. Neale, Sermons for Some Feast Days in the Christian Year, p193. XX:25.—Herbert Windross, The Life Victorious, p33. XXI:8 , 9.—Ibid. Sermons for the Church Year, vol. ii. p15. XXII:2.—H. J. Buxton, God's Heroes, p109. XXIII:14-16.—J. M. Neale, Sermons for Some Feast Days in the Christian Year, p338. XXIII:17.—John Watson, Respectable Sins, p253. XXIII:19 , 20.—Ibid. Sermons for the Church Year, vol. ii. p112. XXIII:28.—W. M. Taylor, David King of Israel, p79. XXIV.—R. Lorimer, Bible Studies in Life and Truth, p231. W. M. Taylor, David King of Israel.