A Wonderful Replacement

It is sad jealousy prevented David from having a close relationship with any of his older brothers. However, after David kills Goliath, God's replaces David's void and heartbreak with a replacement---Jonathan, Saul's own son.

Jonathan and David became one in spirit and loved David as himself, even though Saul, Jonathan's father came to despise David.

"After David had finished talking with Saul,

Jonathan became one in spirit with David,

and he loved him as himself."

1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV)

When Jonathan was later killed in battle, David referred to Jonathan as his dear brother whose love he cherished deeply.

"I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;

you were very dear to me.

Your love for me was wonderful,

more wonderful than that of women."

2 Samuel 1:26 (NIV)

When a loved one rejects you, God often replaces that void with another.