of his nntion, the Philistines. He l!lympathiied with the people in their lose and In the trouhle~ whioh would l!lurely spring from his death. But his lament over J~nathan was of another order. It W&8 the outbum of a paeeionate grief at the tragical death of an afreotionate and faithfnl friend, whom he tenderly loved. whoee life had been lo"8ly, and to David most kind and helpful. I. JONATHAN 1 8 FRIENDSHIP WITH DAVID. 1. It seems to have originated ,n admim-· fion. The qu&litiee of David, as they were displayed in the condiot with Goliath, found a.n echo in Jonatha.n's own soul, which became "knit with the soul of David," so that "Jonathan loved him ae his own soul" tl Sam. xviii. 1, 8). There were natural affinities-youth, courage, faith in God. But there was, doubtless, also that 1:ubtile something, undiscoverable by analysis, which specially adapts one soul for closest union with ·another. 2. It 'IDCJ$ very warm and passionate. ·See the above quotation, and David's words in the text, .. 'l'hy love to me was wonderful, passing the· love of women." 8. It was cemented and CM/firmed by pl,ed,ges and compacts. {l Sam. xviii. 3, t; :u:. 16, 17, 41, 42; xxiii. 18.) Note especially 1 Sam. xx.17, "Jonathan caused' David to swear again." etc. His love was so strong and passionate that it was never weary of pouring itself out in vows and protests and covenants. 4. It'Ula8 more than disiriterested.. For Jonathan soon saw that David would succeed his father on the throne, and the prospect wae strongly represented to him by Saul (1 Sam. xx. 31). • But no jealousy sprang up in his heart; he was content to be second where David was· first (1 Sam. x.xiii 17). 6. It= shown by practical services. He interceded with his father repeatedly for David, and exposed himself thereby to death from his father's rage. Be warned D&vid of .his father's deadly purpose, and repeated the_ warning when, contrary to his hope, he found how implacable that purpose was. He visited his friend- when banished from court and pursued by his relentless enemy. He "strengthened his hands in God." In all ways he proved himself a "brother; " yea, "a, friend that· sticketh closer than :a brother "(Prov. :xvili. 24). 6. It was associated with •strict royalty to his father. Be had a difficult part to play, but he played it well. He was loving and devoted to Saul, while maintaining so warm a friendship with him whose life the father sought. David would only the more admire and love him on this account, for he was equally loyal t.o the unhappy king, and would have served him as devotedly if be had been permitted; and eo, when both were slain on one battle-field, he united their memories in his elegy. "Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death they were not divided." II. His DEA.!I'H. The dearest friends must be parted by death; and the-pleasure they have enjoyed in each other's love and society will make the pa.in the more severe. "There is no union here ·or hearts Which finda not here an end." Yet this is not 11trictly true. Christian friendships are immortal, .• ·' . • III. DA vm'11 Lil!EN'£ATIUN.. A worthy tribute of friendshi~tender; sublime, and sincere. David would ~ his loss irreparable. No friendship equal to this ·was it possible.to form. Happily, while lamenting his loss, his sorrow was not embittered by, the memory of any unkindness or unfaithfnlness ·on his part. It is, however, singulas, that even in such a composition no reference to future life ·and reunion should find place. The consolations so natural to a Christian are unnoticed. 'l'hey were not llrdinarily known with sufficient distinctness to be of much service. "Our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim. i. 10). We may regard the friendship of Jona.than for David as a picture of- L THE FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS FOR us. This is" wonderful" indeed, in its condescen- sion, its spontaneolllllless, its disinterestedness, its sacrifices, its services and bestow- ments. .And it never endi!. This Friend never dies, never changes in love or power. 11 WHAT OUR FRIENDSHIP TO HIM SHOULD BE. It cannot be purely disinterested; we owe so much to him, and expect so much from him. Yet may our love be far more than gratitude; we may love him for his own sake, and shnll do so if we are his. Nor let Ill restrain our affection, but lavish it upon him-11.rdent, tender, even passionate. He requires and deserves to be loved mcire than our dearest earthly relativee and lric:nds. But ever let us remember that he values most our obedient and self-denying CR, U, 1-82.) TTIE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 35
service, and our practical love for his sake of those whom he loves and for whom ha g11va his life, III. WHAT OUB FRIENDSHIP WITH EACH OTHER SHOULD BE. Our Lord came to founrl. in the world a sacred friendshir:,, a brotherhood, based on faith in him and love to him, and kopt alive by regard for his love to us a.II. ln Jona.than, a.nd still more in Jesus, wo see what this friendship ought to be.-G. W.