Jonathan – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Man of the Lord? Man of shame?

When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he gave up, and all Israel was dismayed. (2 Samuel 4:1)

It’s interesting to me that the name Ish-bosheth means “man of shame”.

His name was originally “Esh-baal” which means “man of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 8:33)

But this “man of the Lord” became a “man of shame” because like his father Saul, he didn’t put his trust in God. And so when his world collapsed, instead of seeking God and his will, he simply gave up.

I was wondering this morning, “Had his brother Jonathan lived, what would have happened? What would he have done?”

He had told David, “You will be king of Israel and I will be second to you.” (1 Samuel 23:17)

Would he have so easily ceded the throne to David? I kind of think he would have. Because Jonathan was a man who trusted the Lord and desired to follow his will. He truly was a man of God.

That’s what I want to be.

Lord, let me be your man, trusting you, and following your will, moment to moment, day to day.

Wounds from a friend

As I read 1 Samuel 19-20, I thought about how Saul must have felt.

He must have really felt betrayed by his own children. Both had sided against him in favor of David. And that wounded Saul.

But they were not the ones who were wrong. He was.

And though Jonathan’s words wounded him, if Saul had only listened, he would have found healing. Instead, he continued down the path that led to his destruction.

I don’t think I’m as bad as Saul. But I can be hard-headed at times.

I don’t want to be that way. I want to be open to the words of faithful friends. Even if they hurt sometimes. (Proverbs 27:5-6)

I especially want to be open to the words of Jesus. Because he is my most faithful friend.