1 Samuel 18

1 Samuel 18

Hughes comments that "Jonathan saw that David viewed life from the same divine perspective (God is sovereign and does as He pleases, and all of life is to be lived for Him). And when he saw this, his soul reflexively clung to David’s. Here was a man whose heart beat with his!...a Christian friendship exceeds anything that exists between nonbelievers — for such a friendship is founded on a supernatural mutuality of soul. The Holy Spirit makes your souls chorus the same cries. You assent to the same authority. You know the same God. You are going the same way. You long for the same things. You dream mutual dreams. You yearn for the same experiences of holiness and worship. Jonathan’s soul bound itself to David’s soul. You know when this happens, and it is wonderful." (Borrow Disciplines of a Godly Man) and Jonathan loved (ahab) him as himself (literally = "as his own soul") - Clearly the relationship of Jonathan and David touched the very depth of their beings. This is actually the quality of love God calls for in His children for Jesus says we are to "love (agapao - selfless, unconditional love of) your neighbor as yourself." (Mk 12:31, quoting Lev 19:18). "Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul: a friend is another self." Henry Clay Trumbull comments that "From that hour the hearts of David and Jonathan were as one. Jonathan could turn away from father and mother, and could repress all personal ambition, and all purely selfish longings, in proof of his loving fidelity to him who was dear to him as his own blood.' His love for David was " wonderful, passing the love of women."' (H. Clay Trumbull. The Blood Covenant) Adam