“And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.”
1 Chronicles 8:33 KJV
Ner had Kish, Kish had Saul, and Saul had Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. Jonathan means “YHWH has gifted”. He was the eldest son of king Saul of the kingdom of Israel and a close friend of David. He was known for his great strength and swiftness, and excelled in archery and slinging. Jonathan’s intrepidity and fidelity to his friend, the future king David, makes him an admired figure. This loyalty came from Jonathan’s discernment that David would be the next king of Israel and he made a covenant with David. After his death in defeat at the hand of the Philistines, David lamented in a moving eulogy and gave Jonathan and his father an honourable burial. David also recognised Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s lame son and gave him a place at the king’s table. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the true meaning of friendship. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Jesus is our Friend and showed us how, by dying to remove our sins, and rising again to bring us into union with God. Let’s believe in God’s Friendship with all who come into this relationship. Amen!
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