Christians are called to be a LADDER-ship (Servants) and they presume themselves as Leaders, bosses, CEOs…etc. Hence so many confused and confusing leaders in Christendom.
Jonathan had the gift to be a ‘ladder’ for David, whom God had chosen for a great future role of leadership in the Kingdom of Israel. “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. (I Samuel 18:1-4) King Saul, father of Jonathan, was envious and even paranoid of David, while Jonathan joyfully, whole-heartedly endorsed David.
By giving his robe, Jonathan endorsed him as a leader, military hero and political king. He gave his sword to David, which was a great act of sacrifice. It is significant as there were only two swords in Israel. One was with Saul and another was with Jonathan. (I Samuel 13:22) Jonathan gave his own sword to David and a simple man without protection.
Peers of Jonathan would have ridiculed, teased, and mocked him. He would have been labelled as a fool. Even his father rebuked him using malicious words. (I Samuel 20:30) Yet, he was not perturbed as he knew the call of God on David and his role in David’s shaping to be an excellent leader.
Ladders allow people to walk over them, and so does such leaders. (Psalms 66:2) Ladders are kicked off, when a person reaches high. Yes, mentors or facilitators or benefactors may not be remembered, or worse, they could be kicked off. Thank God for ladder leaders who affirm and create many more leaders.
Am I a ladder leader?