Jonathan Welcomes David

‎Though King Saul wavered in his attitude toward David, there was one who did not hesitate. That was the king’s heroic son Jonathan. Jonathan who, in just such spirit as David’s, had won for Saul his earlier great victory over the Philistines, was quick to recognize in the younger man a nature kindred to his own. Perhaps also he felt the coldness of his father’s reception of their deliverer; for it must be remembered that Jonathan himself had suffered from the wild and unjust temper of his father, who would have slain him in the very hour of their greatest victory.

‎So Jonathan welcomed David at once at that first meeting; his soul went out to the victorious youth as to a brother. Perhaps the two young men left Saul’s presence together; for we learn that they made an immediate compact of friendship. “And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” If the father had no prompt reward for their heaven-sent champion, the son gave all that he could.