The Full Armor of God

"Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt." 1 Samuel 13:4

I was talking to Betty Aiello yesterday when she pointed out this verse. It's a beautiful reflection of what we see in Ephesians 6 concerning the full armor of God. In this passage, David and Jonathan begin a beautiful relationship and Jonathan, as a way of honoring his best friend, gives David his armor, the armor of a future king (Jonathan was Saul's son), given to a future king. It's a poignant snapshot of the way we receive the armor of our King in Ephesians.

But, look closer, there's more.

Jonathan, buy this time was a highly successful and feared warrior. He was the son of the king and he was a skilled warrior who, I am reasonably certain, must have had the best armor available, the most formidable defense the technology of the day could provide.

Jonathan gives up his armor......his protection......his covering. He lays it before David, the prophesied King of Israel. That's not all, Jonathan gives David his robe as well! The primary symbol of his inheritance, position and authority.

In short, Jonathan surrenders all he has and all he is.....to David. It is now up to David to protect, watch over, defend and define Jonathan.

Here's the beauty of all this.....David, the human king, does his best to do exactly that: protect, watch over and defend Jonathan. Why? Because David loves Jonathan!

How much more must our heavenly King do for us when we surrender all we value and cherish to Him, allowing Him to become our armor, our robe and our identity?