I Samuel 19:7
“Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these words. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.”
Jonathan was an amazing person in scripture. He had royal blood and would have been next in line to be king. That was Saul's plan. He said that to Jonathan on several occasions. However, he was a better person than that. Most of his references speak to his loyalty to David. He reminds me of John the Baptist's comment, "He must increase, but I must decrease". He also had a strong faith.
Jonathan was in a supportive position. He was devoted to his father, but was forever supportive of David. We have no evidence of self ambition in him. We don't see any jealousy or envy. His dad attempted to put that in him on several occasions. However he never took the bait. It's as if that temptation was wasted on him.
That seems like a cool role to be supportive of David. He was one of the most exciting guys of faith in history. The movie Chariots of Fire describes Eric Liddel as one who was a muscular christian. That was David. Those people are rare. Jonathon was the right guy in a great position and he responded perfectly. Jonathon always did well.
How does one have that same attitude? I would say that when the envious feelings arise, don't follow them. They are there as a test. Pray for the one that's prompting them and continue to show grace. We can also ask God to put a right heart in us. Continue to follow the right way.
The right way may be for us to stick with our plans, but it also might be to abandon them. We are to let them go because of selfish ambitions. We need to continually check our hearts and to look to God. Abandoning these may be part of Jesus' challenge to "deny himself" (Matthew 16:24).
Earlier we saw Jonathan and his armor bearer perform a heroic and faith-filled plan in battle. I Samuel 14:6, 'Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come, and let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men; perhaps the LORD will work for us, because the LORD is not limited to saving by many or by few!”' God was with them and the Philistines loss began at this moment. What an exciting act of faith. So, he was a brave and skilled warrior also.
Lord thank You for the plans You have for us. Sometimes we are to lead, other times to follow. Help us to do well in both roles.