The Friend that Emptied Himself

The interplay of Jonathan and David is a picture of the Christian and His Lord. I believe at some times in the text David can show us a picture of Christ and then at other times Jonathan can. When we get to 1 Samuel 18, it is Jonathan's turn to show us Christ's actions for His Church.

David is about to enter into a dark season. He's defeated Goliath but Saul's radar is already up about him. Having investigated his background Saul will grow more suspicious. Eventually, David will be celebrated more than Saul by the young ladies of the nation and the switch will be flipped.

Nevertheless, the scripture gives us a beautiful picture of how God prepares His men for the rough seasons of life. Jonathan immediately takes to David. And in loving kindness, Jonathan gives David the very things he will need for his upcoming dark season:
1 Samuel 18:3–4 (ESV) Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

Look at this picture! Jonathan takes off what is rightfully his and gives it to David. In effect, Jonathan takes on weakness for David's strength by giving him his weapons. He also gives David his robe - a picture of belonging to the royal house. This is incredible friendship - laying down one's rights and privileges for a friend. Yet it is ALSO the picture of Christ's work for you and I. 

Christ emptied Himself for us!

Philippians 2:6–7 (ESV) (Jesus) though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Christ made Himself poor so that we could be rich!

2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Christ Jesus was forsaken by His father so that we could be accepted. On the Cross, for the first time in the Gospels, Jesus refers to His Father not as "My Father" but "My God" in Matthew 27:

Matthew 27:46 (ESV) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

After the resurrection, Jesus refers to God as both His and OUR Father:

John 20:17 (ESV) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

This is why Paul summarizes the work of the cross this way:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake He made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

The picture Jonathan gives us of Christ is powerful. It is precisely what Jesus did for us. Jonathan will pay for this act of loving kindness toward David. Saul will turn against him. Yet all Jonathan did for David made David both successful and strong. Notice the next verse:

1 Samuel 18:5 (ESV) And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

Strength, power, and success is the fruit of the Gospel's work in our lives. We are empowered because Jesus was emptied, forsaken, made poor and made sin for us! God raised Him from the dead and He gives the Holy Spirit to all who believe. Walk in what your Friend has provided.