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Jonathan Honoured God's Will
Above His Self-Interest

Jonathan is one of the great unsung heroes of the Old Testament. He was courageous, daring, loyal, and practical, and he put God's will above his own self-interest. Why is he so amazing?

And Jonathan, Saul’s son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. He said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second in command to you; and Saul my father knows that as well.” I Sam. 23:16-17, NASB

Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. He began well but allowed pride, self-will and self-interest to consume him, leading him to reject the will of God in favour of his own ego and desires.

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Jonathan was Saul’s firstborn son. By the way kingdoms operated, he was the one to take over the throne when his father died. He should have been Israel's next king. And since he seemed to be the opposite of his father, he would have made a great king.

But Saul’s disobedience to God’s commands cost him the kingship.

But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 1 Sam. 15:26, NASB

Saul’s disobedience cost Jonathan the throne. This wasn’t Jonathan’s fault. Sometimes we have to live with the results of other people’s sinful choices. This is what makes Jonathan so amazing. According to human tradition, the throne and its power were his. But he did not become bitter or angry that his father's failure snatched it away from him and his descendants. He did not start a rebellion to seize it. He could have divided Israel, but he chose to put his self-interest under God's will.

Saul knew the throne had been taken from him and his dynasty, but he refused to accept God's will. He fought against it with everything he had, trying to hold on to power and even trying to murder David when he learned Samuel had anointed David as his replacement. Saul always put his desires above God’s will and didn't care what crimes he committed to hold on to power.

God's Will Over Self-Interest

Christians standing in unity over a dead dragon with a cross in the background

Jonathan was the exact opposite. He knew that God had taken the dynasty from his family. He didn't just accept it with grace; he actively supported the person he knew God had chosen to replace him on the throne. That was unheard of! Saul couldn’t believe that his son would support his rival. But Jonathan knew God's will and was joyfully willing to put aside his self-interest to support it.

We need men and women today with the attitude of Jonathan. But Saul’s attitude so often fractures us on multiple levels. If all the Christians put aside their self-interest and non-essential differences and stood together, humanism would fall, and we would once again be living in Christian nations for the benefit of all. How many churches, political parties, businesses, and families split because everyone is focused on self-interest and unwilling to seek the will of God in the matter?

We have become like the man in Luke 12:13-14 who asked Jesus to make his brother split the inheritance with him. The man had no interest in what was fair and right, only in trying to get Jesus on his side so he could get what he wanted. Many times we as Christians have the same attitude. We have no interest in the will of God unless we think it aligns with our will or we can manipulate it for our self-interest.

We need some Jonathans, men and women who will joyfully lay aside their own self-interest and goals to wholeheartedly work toward seeing God's will done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank God there are many people who do just that. But when most Christians don’t even tithe, these Jonathans are the exception rather than the rule. If you remember, Jesus responded to the man demanding his inheritance on his terms with the parable of the Rich Fool. If we are to be wealthy in the eyes of God, our priorities must be right, and the will of God must reign supreme in our lives.

Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and teaching in local churches. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 300+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon, follow his teaching on YouTube or visit Glenn Davis Books. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.

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