I Pledge Allegiance -aka- The Importance of Being Second

When's the last time you spoke the word 'allegiance?' Most of us don't even salute the flag very often any more. Allegiance? To what? To whom? Police? Priests? Presidents? Parents?
 
Police brutality, sexual misconduct among church leaders, government control, absentee helicopter parents, Wall Street moguls ... Many "Millennials" (18-29 yr olds) see those with power as the problem. Authority is nearly synonymous with Abuse - limitation, exploitation, demeaning, insulting ... Allegiance? Hardly.
 
Which makes what Jonathan pledged to David after affirming that David would be Israel's next king seem very out of place, inappropriate, even weak. Some Biblical translations have enough trouble with it that the text seems sanitized. Here's what Jonathan really said:
 
 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”  1 Samuel 23:17
 
A number of translations have it: I will be next to you  which is all very nice except that the meaning is to be 'second' or under one's authority. By saying, "I will be 'second' to you," Jonathan placed his relationship with David above his own personal ambition. Though legal heir to the throne Jonathan acknowledged that he was under, and willing to support, the future king's leadership.
 
How can that be? It is because there was a difference between their relationship and the role each was called to. In relationship Jonathan was David's equal. That secure connection gave Jonathan freedom to fully support, encourage and yes...be next to as well as under David's authority and oversight, recognizing that God had placed David in a position of kingly responsibility.
 
What does it take to be in a healthy relationship under authority? The key is equality. A level playing field. One is not above, over, or superior to the other in their relationship. We read that David and Jonathan made a covenant with one another. When two individuals meet eye to eye as equals there is no fear. The apostle John puts it this way, "There is no fear in Love." The principle can apply in any relationship. (marriage?) In Christ we are called to equality in relationships and to be second / next to (supportive of) the one God has appointed to lead. Especially when it's not us.
 
Ironically, they never saw one another again. Not long after, Jonathan (and Saul) died in battle. Nevertheless, Jonathan's support strengthened David in the Lord.
 
 

Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest...
It's about who came, and never left your side...