prompted him to put his royal robes on David's shoulder, to gird his sword on David's thigh, and to put his bow into David's hands; as much as to say, "I w give thee of my best. Thou art more of a king's I won than I am. These befit thee more than me.” When Saul's envy enkincied hatred, and hatred plotted murder, he whispered his foul purpose to his son and to his servants, and bade them seek for the opportunity of putting Darid to death. It must have been a dire strugge for Jonathan, fiial lore restraining him from any undue er posure of his father's wickedness, and faithful friendship impelling him to warn David of his danger. Haring put his friend out of harm's way, he went into his father's presence to speak of all the good service David had rendered ; and his words were like a shower from heaven falling into the fiery soul of Saul, and, for a while, subduing the hellish fame which burned so fiercely there. He persuaded his father to take an oath that David should be spared; and, through his intercession, David had his home in the palace once more. In after-days, a like spirit was displayed when a similar danger arose, and, to save his friend Jonathan braved his father's fury and risked his own life. There are friendships in the world which cost those who cherish them nothing and like many other cheap things they are worth just what they cost The only friendship worth anything in this world is one that can work as well as talk; give as well as weep; cheerfully sustain loss as well ax pronounce flattering eulogies. The affection which Jonathan che rished for David proved to be a costly one, but he grudged not the charyox. He acted as if he had anticipated New Testament teaching, or as if some angel from heaven had whispered to his heart the com mandment afterwards addressed to the universal Church,—“Let us love, not in word, but in deed and in truth.”

Jonathan's friendship for David was eminently unselfish. It was much that he could do for David ; it was but little that David could do I'vr him. Personally, he had no interest in David's continued life and increasing power; but, speaking after the manner of men, his interest lay in the opposite direction. If David were to be king, it would be Jonathan's throne rather than Saul's that he would take. Jonathan was the heir to the kingdom, and all the help he rendered to David was heli t the man who would come between him and his inheritance. Thi W& the fact Saul used with such power, and sought to make it a fire brand with which to set Jonathan's heart all aflame with jealous hatret "'Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman,” he exclaimed, “ do not kwow that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion for as long as he liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be establishe nor thy kingdom.” * There were truth and force in that appeal whic only a strong friendship could resist. “What a poor blind fool tho art! Thou art defending the life of thy rival, who will live only to we the crown that should grace thy head, and to make thee his vassi Fetch him hither, my son, and let us slay him. It is more for thy sal than mine that I would destroy him ; for, if he be spared, thou wilt ney be a king like thy father.” With how many this reasoning would have prevailed, and this appeal to selfishness have brought out all the worst passions of the soul! The only power it had over Jonathan was to call forth another prayer that David's good deeds might be remembered, and that he might be dealt with according to them. To Saul's selfish heart this nobleness of love and self-forgetfulness seemed nothing but wilful wickedness and sheer madness. How could he comprehend it? As well might a burrowing mole attempt to follow the flight of an eagle, or a croaking reptile sit in judgment upon the skylark's song! Only love can understand love. Hence," he that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.”

Jonathan's friendship had the crowning grace of constancy. It began in the midst of David's new-born popularity, but it lasted through all his reverses. The time came when David was hated at court, when he was reviled by all who wanted to stand well with the king, and when he was a hunted outlaw at the head of a band of men, many of whom were not the best in the land. These circumstances must have brought his character under suspicion ; and we may be sure that many tongues were set talking against him: but through it all the heart of Jonathan was true as the needle to the pole. The two friends were much separated, and only once for a long season did they enjoy an interview; and then Jonathan spoke with strong confidence and sincere gladness of the certainty of David's exaltation, and dwelt in glowing strains upon the happy future when David should be king, and he be the prime minister. It was evident that David was losing heart about his own prosperity. Adversity was so lasting, and hope was deferred so long, it is no wonder that his faith became feeble. The constant friend, who before had defended his life, now goes forth to deliver him from despondency, and to bid him rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. At the very time that Saul went searching for David to kill him, Jonathan went in quest of him that he might speak words of comfort to him, and keep alive that which was more precious than all besides his trust in God. “And Jonathan arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.”* Referring to that visit, “ The sweet singer of Israel” might have made this his song :

6. Much beautiful, and excellent, and fair

Was seen beneath the sun; but nought was seen
More beautiful, or excellent, or fair,
Than face of faithful friend; fairest when seen
In darkest day : and many sounds were sweet,
Most ravishing, and pleasant to the ear;
But sweeter none than voice of faithful friend;

Sweet always, sweetest heard in loudest storm.” There is one fact belonging to this history which has seldom had the attention it deserves. While Jonathan was always faithful to David, he was never false to his father. Some men will cultivate one virtue alone and make it an Aaron's rod-swallowing up all the other virtues; but

* 1 San. xxiii. 16.

prompted him to put his royal robes on David's shoulder, to gird his sword on David's thigh, and to put his bow into David's hands; as much as to say, “I will give thee of my best. Thou art more of a king's son than I am. These befit thee more than me.” When Saul's envy enkindled hatred, and hatred plotted murder, he whispered his foul purpose to his son and to his servants, and bade them seek for the opportunity of putting David to death. It must have been a dire struggle for Jonathan, filial love restraining him from any undue erposure of his father's wickedness, and faithful friendship impelling him to warn David of his danger. Having put his friend out of harm's way, he went into his father's presence to speak of all the good service David had rendered ; and his words were like a shower from heaven falling into the fiery soul of Saul, and, for a while, subduing the hellish flame which burned so fiercely there. He persuaded his father to take an oath that David should be spared; and, through his intercession, David had his home in the palace once more. In after-days, a like spirit was displayed when a similar danger arose, and, to save his friend, Jonathan braved his father's fury and risked his own life. There are friendships in the world which cost those who cherish them nothing, and like many other cheap things they are worth just what they cost. The only friendship worth anything in this world is one that can work as well as talk; give as well as weep; cheerfully sustain loss as well as pronounce flattering eulogies. The affection which Jonathan cherished for David proved to be a costly one, but he grudged not the charges. He acted as if he had anticipated New Testament teaching or as if some angel from heaven had whispered to his heart the commandment afterwards addressed to the universal Church,—“Let us love 110t in word, but in deed and in truth.”

Jonathan's friendship for David was eminently unselfish. It was much that he could do for David ; it was but little that David could do för him. Personally, he had no interest in David's continued life and increasing power; but, speaking after the manner of men, his interes lay in the opposite direction. If David were to be king, it would b« Jonathan's throne rather than Saul's that he would take. Jonathan wa the heir to the kingdom, and all the help he rendered to David was helt to the man who would come between him and his inheritance. Thi was the fact Saul used with such power, and sought to make it a fire brand with which to set Jonathan's heart all aflame with jealous hatred “ Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman,” he exclaimed, “ do not know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion for as long as he liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established nor thy kingdom.” * There were truth and force in that appeal whic only a strong friendship could resist. “What a poor blind fool tho art! Thou art defending the life of thy rival, who will live only to wea the crown that should grace thy head, and to make thee his vassa Fetch him hither, my son, and let us slay him. It is more for thy sal than mine that I would destroy him ; for, if he be spared, thou wilt neve

* 1 Sam. xx. 30–31.

be a king like thy father.” With how many this reasoning would have prevailed, and this appeal to selfishness have brought out all the worst passions of the soul! The only power it had over Jonathan was to call forth another prayer that David's good deeds might be remembered, and that he might be dealt with according to them. To Saul's selfish heart this nobleness of love and self-forgetfulness seemed nothing but wilful wickedness and sheer madness. How could he comprehend it? As well might a burrowing mole attempt to follow the flight of an eagle, or a croaking reptile sit in judgment upon the skylark's song! Only love can understand love. Hence, “ he that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love."

Jonathan's friendship had the crowning grace of constancy. It began in the midst of David's new-born popularity, but it lasted through all his reverses. The time came when David was hated at court, when he was reviled by all who wanted to stand well with the king, and when he was a hunted outlaw at the head of a band of men, many of whom were not the best in the land. These circumstances must have brought his character under suspicion ; and we may be sure that many tongues were set talking against him: but through it all the heart of Jonathan was true as the needle to the pole. The two friends were much separated, and only once for a long season did they enjoy an interview; and then Jonathan spoke with strong confidence and sincere gladness of the certainty of David's exaltation, and dwelt in glowing strains upon the happy future when David should be king, and he be the prime minister. It was evident that David was losing heart about his own prosperity. Adversity was so lasting, and hope was deferred so long, it is no wonder that his faith became feeble. The constant friend, who before had defended his life, now goes forth to deliver him from despondency, and to bid him rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. At the very time that Saul went searching for David to kill him, Jonathan went in quest of him that he might speak words of comfort to him, and keep alive that which was more precious than all besides--his trust in God. “And Jonathan arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.”* Referring to that visit, “ The sweet singer of Israel ” might have made this his song :

“ Much beautiful, and excellent, and fair

Was seen beneath the sun ; but nought was seen
More beautiful, or excellent, or fair,
Than face of faithful friend; fairest when seen
In darkest day: and many sounds were sweet,
Most ravishing, and pleasant to the ear;
But sweeter none than voice of faithful friend ;

Sweet always, sweetest heard in loudest storm." There is one fact belonging to this history which has seldom had the attention it deserves. While Jonathan was always faithful to David, he was never false to his father. Some men will cultivate one virtue alone and make it an Aaron's rod-swallowing up all the other virtues; but

* 1 San. xxii. 16.

this man did not suffer his virtues as a friend to impair his virtues i com a son. His position was one of great difficulty, and it was little less than a miracle of grace that he was able to keep the true path, while there was so much to turn him to the right hand or to the left. H . were his father and his friend, and the former counted the latter tage greatest foe he had, and fought against him with relentless cruel How could Jonathan stand between them both, and be to them wl. a son and a friend ought to be? But he did it; for he was simp.. hearted and pure-minded and anxious to do right; and to the uprig there always ariseth light in the darkness. Amid all the strife a conflict between Saul and David, you cannot point to a single inciden and say, “ There Jonathan forgot his friendship for David,” or, “ Thi he broke the first commandment with promise.” He never forsook father's standard, and he died at last nobly fighting by his father's sit He did not say, “It is the purpose of God to bring David to the throt and I will go and help him to get it.” Nay; for he knew that he wto find his rule of action, not in God's purposes, but in God's precep one of which was, “Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy da may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Aft all, that death on Gilboa was a fitting finish to his career. It was w that he who in life had given the world its great example of faithfulneo to a friend, should in death show to all sons, down to the end of time that neither a father's feelings nor even a father's crimes must 19 allowed to quench filial affection and fidelity. It was a noble thit in Jonathan, that when sin had come with its desolating hand al destroyed all the beauty and glory in his father's character, he carrie himself as one who would say, “He is my father still; I will live fe him; and if need be, I will die for him.”

It needs no word to prove that the friendship we have been studyin was a great help and blessing to David. How great, is known only to Him by whom the boon was bestowed. We are told that at the fog of the Hill of Difficulty, a fountain is placed by the Lord of the Pilgrims, so that they may drink and be refreshed before they begi to climb. That is Bunyan's way of putting the fact, that for special circumstances special grace is given; and such a fountain at the fod of David's hill of difficulty was the friendship of Jonathan. Great trials were before him, and God, who foresaw them all, granted him this provision against them. When his character was traduced, how it would solace him to remember that the second man in the land in point of worldly position, and the first man in the land in point of spiritul life, still believed in him and counted him worthy of all love! When his own heart sunk with fear, there would be reviving power in the thought that such a godly man as Jonathan had the utmost confidence that he would be raised to the throne. We are strangely constituteil and sometimes other people's faith in our future welfare serves us to lean upon when we have none of our own to sustain us. The promisee of God concerning us seem sweeter and purer, when, instead of being left to whisper them ourselves to our troubled spirits, we have some believing friend to come and quote them to us.