How many times have we been torn between our loyalties to two people? It is a good question and I know I have. What do we do? Who do we side with? How do I let one down? Our reading is a fascinating and moving story and it has a significant part in David’s life. Jonathan was in such a predicament. He loved his father Saul and was a good friend with David. I suppose it would be easy to criticize Jonathan for this but I really do think we have had a similar problem. Saul was driven by excessive fear and by a paranoid jealousy of David and David was set to be king but continued to show loyalty and respect to Saul as the Lord’s anointed. So, how do you resolve the dilemma of being torn in two?
It is easy to answer the question in Jonathan’s case. As readers of the text, we are privy to the outcome. We know that David is ultimately to be king. So, we side with David. But what do we do in our relationships? I think this story may point us in a spiritual direction. We might should take some time to think about what God’s plans are. What does God want me to do? I think in my own case these situations have been resolved more easily when I look at it from this perspective. I get in trouble when I look at it from my point of view, from my feelings, or from what most benefits me. Just one more thing, it may be beneficial for us to be respectful to the one in authority even if we disagree. We succeed like David did when we stay within the realm of God’s plan through His Word.
