At times conflicts arise between our convictions and our obligations in relationships. How do I support a spouse I disagree with? How do I respect a disrespectful parent? How do I love an enemy? It’s encouraging to read about Jonathan in the Bible and see how he worked through these sorts of potential conflicts.

Jonathan demonstrated faith by taking the initiative to raid a Philistine outpost in 1 Samuel 14 despite being outnumbered. Apparently while Jonathan was elsewhere in the field, Saul had bound the army to an oath not to eat. Being unaware of the oath, Jonathan ate wild honey as the army came across it in the forest. When Jonathan became aware of the vow later, he criticized his father for binding such a vow on the people. When Saul discovered Jonathan had broken the vow, he was eager to execute his son as a result. Jonathan, while staying firm to his conviction, was still willing to submit to the judgement if the army had not interceded on his behalf.

Jonathan, son of King Saul, later made a covenant to David. In establishing this relationship, Jonathan put his loyalties in direct conflict, even to the point of giving up his own claim to the throne (1 Sam 23:17). This conflict came to a head when Jonathan defended David in 1 Samuel 20; Saul became enraged to the point of hurling his spear at Jonathan, making this the second time Saul had tried to kill his own son. Despite this, Jonathan never abandoned David nor his father. In fact, Jonathan died fighting alongside his father who would have had him and his friend David killed.

Jonathan’s life demonstrates that honoring our commitments often requires us to accept significant personal disadvantage. By prioritizing his convictions and his covenant with David over his own safety and royal inheritance, he shows that it is possible to remain steadfast in love and loyalty, even when doing so demands the sacrifice of our own interests.