Day 5

TRUE INTEGRITY

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18

We have looked at Jonathan's dilemma; he loved his father, he loved his friend but the two were never to discover a positive relationship because of Saul's attitude. Jonathan was "grieved for David because his father had done him shame" (1 Sam. 20:33). He was not blind to his father's treachery and rebellion against God's will. Yet he never left his father's side or showed any disloyalty to him as king. In fact the sad record is that Jonathan died with Saul in battle with the Philistines at Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:1-6).

It could not have been easy for Jonathan as a man of integrity and compassion to remain loyal to Saul. After all he had three choices: Firstly he could stand by his father, second he could throw in his lot with David and third he could try to take power for himself. The second alternative could have brought about his heart's desire (1 Sam. 23:17) while the third was a real possibility with his father's popularity waning and his own standing with the people (1 Sam. 14:38-45) remaining high.

Why did Jonathan choose to stand by Saul? Should loyalty to one's parents always come first? Exodus 20:12 is very clear but what does it really mean? Paul uses it in Ephesians 6:1-3 but then adds a significant comment in verse 4! Paul is dealing with the general subject of our relationship to authority. Perhaps Jonathan is an example of verse 6?