Fruits of the Spirit III: “Greater than the Love of Women” David and Jonathan
by the Rev. AJ Ochart
1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:1-4, 35-42; 2 Samuel 1:17-27
Sermon Notes
There is more written about and by King David than anyone else in the Hebrew scriptures. While many other biblical characters are given a handful of verses, we follow David from his anointing as a young man, to his death. The scrolls that we call 1st and 2nd Samuel tell a sweeping story of battle, intrigue, politics, and betrayal. We experience with David the highs and the lows, the victories and failures. Unmistakably, one of the most important relationship David has is the one that he has with Jonathan son of Saul (king of Israel). Many have seen this relationship as a picture of deep and abiding friendship. Others, however, wonder if this story suggests something more intimate. Of course, we have no way of knowing how much of the story is directly attributable to the historical figures, and have as little access to their direct experiences as they would have to our modern understandings of sexuality and gender (i.e. none whatsoever).
However, for Christians and Jewish people who are queer, the possibility of identifying with and being represented by such a pivotal character in our scriptures is deeply affirming and even life-saving. For those whom scripture has been weaponized against, and for whom the Bible has been a source of pain and trauma; the thought of a gay (or perhaps bi) icon so widely revered can be healing. For those who have been raised with homophobic assumptions and interpretations of scripture, recognizing the possibility of queerness in our sacred texts can help to open the door to grace for their queer siblings.
Bonus Readings
If you want more context before (or after) the sermon, read the following:
- The Rise and Fall of Saul: 1 Samuel 8-15
- The Rise of David: 1 Samuel 16-20
- Saul’s Pursuit of David, David Gains Political Power: 1 Samuel 21-27
- Defeat of Saul and Jonathan by the Philistines: 1 Samuel 28-31
Questions to Consider
– Have you ever wondered if there was more to the relationship of David and Jonathan?
– Why do you think that this part of the story was written and preserved in the Hebrew scriptures?
– What is gained by reading the relationship of David and Jonathan as a platonic friendship and political alliance?
– What is gained by reading the relationship of David and Jonathan as a tragic love story?
