Welcome to Integrity: The Best Foundation, the book and video series designed to help you live and lead with integrity.

Honour motivates and gives courage. The springbok is a gazelle-like antelope that is normally very alert to predators. However, I remember watching a wildlife show that filmed two male springboks fighting for herd supremacy. They were so absorbed in their battle of dominance that they did not notice a lion that was prowling nearby, positioning himself to enjoy a springbok lunch.

Dishonour makes us as vulnerable as those springboks in battle. Dishonour leads to quarrels, demotivates, stirs up discord. It tends to misdirect energy and resources.

The first king of Israel squandered his leadership because he became distracted by jealousy. His downfall came not because people dishonoured him, but because he dishonoured the people. And although Saul had remarkable leadership skills, his pride and jealousy sabotaged his life. He could not bring himself to share honour, or to celebrate another's success.

One day, a shepherd boy named David received more praise than he did. And this triggered resentment in Saul, and it would fester for the rest of his life. It drove him insane. And because of this jealousy, King Saul would misdirect his energy, time and resources, obsessing about, "How can I discredit David?"

What if King Saul had concentrated his efforts on being the best king he could be? What if he celebrated the honour given to one of his servants, and used that success to inspire others? Actually, David's success had the potential of benefiting the king and all the kingdom. David could have been a huge asset to Saul. However, Saul's insecurity blinded him, and he invoked dishonour, and it crippled his rule.

At the same time that Saul plotted David's downfall, his son, Prince Jonathan, became David's trusted friend. While the king's hatred for David grew more intense, Jonathan's affection for his friend grew stronger and stronger.

The prince's friendship encouraged David. It gave him hope during a very tough time. The story of Jonathan not only is one where a son sought to diffuse anger in his father, but he pledged his loyalty to assist a friend. It goes something like this: "And Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic and even his sword, his bow, and his belt." The actions of Jonathan bolster David's lagging courage.

Did Jonathan's honour of David in any way diminish the prince? Not at all. Did the prince become rodless, bowless, beltless or swordless by honouring David? Not at all. He lost nothing. By standing with David, he gained considerable standing with the nation. And the only thing he lost was the disapproval of Saul.

The king's misunderstanding came with a large price for Jonathan. But it was necessary if the prince was going to honour his father, and influence him back towards sound leadership.

Now, the entire nation understood the symbolism of Jonathan's gifts, and his actions inspired them to respect Jonathan even more. What did the gifts mean? Well a robe meant "I will identify with you." A tunic meant "I will be generous in my support." A sword meant "I will protect and stand with you." A bow meant "I will strengthen you wherever you go." And a belt meant "I will help you."

Jonathan's actions shaped David's future. He gave his friend hope, and enabled him to respond to dishonour that was being hurled at him. It lifted David above the negative pressures.