Please read Ep 01 and Ep 02. This will help you understand and stay current with the rest of the episodes.
Hi dear reader, if you have followed our loyalty series up until now, then you are welcome to episode 3.
Recap
By the grace of God, in episode 1 we explored what loyalty is and examined its root meanings. We took a brief journey into the Hebrew and Greek understanding of the word loyalty, uncovering biblical insights that laid the foundation for this series.
Then in episode 2, we discussed The God Factor of Loyalty through the life of the Prophet Daniel. We saw how Daniel remained unwaveringly loyal to God despite being entrusted with great authority, influence, and honor in Babylon. We also reflected on the remarkable loyalty of Daniel’s companions (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). Who chose faithfulness to God even when faced with the blazing fiery furnace.
These accounts remind us that, in our walk with God, seasons will come when our loyalty is tested. At such times, whether through circumstances, trials, or even God’s own refining process, He graciously gives us the strength, discipline, and endurance to remain faithful to Him.
Today, we turn our attention to The Life Factor of Loyalty
Introduction
Pro 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
This verse(pro 17:17) perfectly embodies the Life factor loyalty. The life factor loyalty is very key and one that can not be overlooked. A good friend will love you at all times, yet in the time of adversity is brotherhood birthed.
I personally love how the bible uses the word Adversity. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the word adversity is a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune. Lol, I personally love this! Adversity is all kinds of inexplicable troubles. Troubles that you cannot explain or phantom. It is this kind of trouble that tests loyalty to core. The Bible contains many more accounts of intense loyalty, spanning family ties, military bonds, and spiritual mentorships. We shall beginning from episode 3, study both biblical and real life stories of loyalty cases. In so doing, we shall have the best experience and moral lessons.
David and Jonathan
Jonathan was the crown prince of Israel and son of King Saul, while David was a young shepherd destined to replace Saul on the throne. Despite knowing David was a threat to his own power, Jonathan formed a deeply loyal covenant with David, often protecting him from his own father’s murderous jealousy.
Key Moment: In 1 Samuel 20, the two friends share an emotional farewell, making a pact to protect each other’s families forever. David later honored this loyalty by taking in Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth, and caring for him for the rest of his life.
There are so many instance where this two shared an irreplaceable bond and this led to loyalty that even the bible commends(1 Sam 18:1-3). One beautiful lesson we can draw from this account is that God often accomplishes His purposes through people He sovereignly places in our lives. Jonathan became one of those people in David’s journey. They sacrifice, protect, defend, encourage, rebuke when necessary, and remain steadfast through every season. In the kingdom expansion, God uses his children to execute that assignment. In doing so, he will need to strategically introduce his children, to helpers, who carries nurtured love of God in their hearts.
Its of a certain that Jonathan knew that David was a huge threat to the crown and knew David would even become King(1 Sam 23:17) someday yet Jonathan allowed himself for the Will of God to be manifested. Jonathan literally explicitly acknowledged David as king(Sam 18:3-4;23:17). Jonathan teaches us that loyalty is choosing God’s purpose over personal ambition. He loved the very man who would one day occupy the throne that, by human reasoning, should have been his.
Their loyalty spans through adversities of all kinds and family covenant ties that extends to mephibosheth. Who was able to continue and stabilize the bloodline of Jonathan becuase of loyalty the father(Jonathan) showed to David.
Is the bible teaching us that we should disregard our parents, elders, teachers, pastors and/or rightful authorities ? A big No! Throughout our journey, God often raises people whose love, faithfulness, and obedience become instruments through which He strengthens, protects, teaches and guides us toward His purpose.
Conclusion
Jonathan’s loyalty cost him comfort, reputation, and eventually his own future as king. Yet he never allowed personal ambition to compete with God’s will. If God asked you to help someone reach the place you once hoped to occupy, would you still remain loyal?
What does this account reveal about the nature of loyalty?
Episode 04 releases on Monday, 3rd August 2026 @6pm. Thank you for reading!