1 Samuel 18:1 (b)
“… the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
The Bible is an allegory of itself, a meta-narrative with its parts mirroring or pointing to the entirety of the Word itself, rather, the Word Himself.
And my favourite allegory thus far is this:
● The meaning of the name Jonathan in Hebrew is “God has given” or “Gift of God”
● The meaning of the name David in Hebrew is “Beloved”
So, “God has given” us “The Beloved”? Yes, He has (John 3:16)
The “Gift of God” is “The Beloved”? Yes, yes it is!
That Jonathan and David’s relationship, especially Jonathan’s response to David, typifies our response to Christ – that our love for Jesus is as love for our own souls, because indeed it is! That we should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jonathan’s love for David is what moves him to do things for David
1 Samuel 20:4
Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Whatever you say, I will do for you’
The cause being the love that he has for David to the effect that Jonathan chooses David over himself.
1 Samuel 23:17(b)
“…You shall be king of Israel and I shall be next to you…”
He figuratively and literally lays down his life for David. For greater love has no man than this… (John 14:15)
The kind of love that compels us to strip ourselves of the princely mantle to become of service to the King. (1st Samuel 18:4)
The kind of love that moves us to keep His commandments. For if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. (John 14:15)
The kind of love that implores us to declare, “…let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
If you loved your soul, you would love Jesus – For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8:37)
If you loved Jesus, you would keep His commandments – For His commandments are not burdensome. (1st John 5:3)
Mark 12:30
“You shall love the Lord your God,… and with all your soul…”
~ Maera Angella