Clothed as a Prince

With the victory over Goliath, David moves high in the esteem of just about everyone in Israel. For instance, he becomes a trusted lieutenant of the king—Saul now keeps David at the court permanently, promotes him from armorbearer to a commanding role in the army, and uses him for important assignments. But Saul is not the only one who respects and honors David. All of Saul’s other servants and even the general populace come to have a high opinion of him.

But the most remarkable instance of esteem for David comes from Jonathan, Saul’s son. We are told that after David finishes speaking with Saul following the defeat of Goliath, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David.” Jonathan may have met David prior to this day as he sat playing the harp for Jonathan’s father. But until now David was simply a hired servant at the court, and Jonathan was unaware of the character of Jesse’s son. But now Jonathan has seen David step out to meet the massive Goliath on the field of battle, displaying incredible courage and faith. And he has heard David express that faith in his conversations with Saul. Jonathan is filled with admiration for this youth to a degree exceeding that of anyone else in Israel. And we know from his actions and from his own words that David returned this esteem (2 Sam. 1:26).

Jonathan’s esteem for David is all the more remarkable when we consider that their positions might well make them enemies. Jonathan is the titular heir to the throne, the crown prince. We are not told whether he is aware that Saul’s actions have already ruled out his ascension to the throne (13:13–14), but he almost certainly does not know that David has been anointed as the next king. And yet, it is as if he freely recognizes David’s right to the throne. The two seal their friendship by making a covenant to provide mutual support and aid, and Jonathan then takes off his own robe and places it on David. Afterward, he gives David his armor, sword, bow, and belt. Thus David stands clothed and equipped as the crown prince of Israel. It would seem that Jonathan, perhaps acting under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, is acknowledging David’s anointing and, humbly bowing to the will of God, is declaring that David, not he, shall sit on the throne as the second king of Israel.