David and Jonathan's Relationship- The Life of David Series
Today in Calvary Kids, we taught about David and Jonathan and their friendship. Jonathan and David's friendship went far beyond just being acquaintances. Their friendship was so deep it says that their souls were knit together (1 Samuel 18:1). As crown prince, Jonathan should have eliminated David as a threat to his throne but instead, he immediately loved David "as his own soul" (1 Samuel 18:1). The Hebrew word for their covenant (berith) is the same word used for God's covenants, showing the sacred nature of their friendship. Jonathan would give up his robe and armor to David (1 Samuel 18:3-4) but these gifts weren't just generous, they were prophetic acts transferring David into royal inheritance to be God's chosen king. This friendship demonstrates loyal love (hesed) and models Christ's sacrificial love for us.
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:27-33; 1 Samuel 23:14-18, and 2 Samuel 9.
David had been playing the harp for Saul before he fought Goliath, so he had known Jonathan for a while. After David defeated Goliath and spoke to King Saul, Jonathan developed a deep respect and bond for David. What's unusual about Jonathan loving David like this is that David was his potential rival to take over the throne. Jonathan wasn't threatened by David and in this though and we see good examples of what a good friend should look like.
1. Someone who loves you and respects you for who you are. Respect means when you think highly of someone and you consider how they feel and who they are.
2.Someone who is not in competition with you. We want friends to help us and want good things for us, not friends who are always trying to beat us.
Jonathan ended up giving everything up to David that represented his royal identity. Jonathan was showing David that he was more important than being King and that he didn't feel threatened by David. This gives us a great example of a friend that sees their friend as more important than the stuff they have and what status it gives them.
Next we see Jonathan speaking well about his friend to his father Saul. Saul was still angry at David and wanted to kill him but Jonathan changed his dad's mind. This would put Jonathan at odds with his father but he was still loyal to David and cared about him very much. Even when Saul continued to want to kill David, Jonathan was still helping David and encouraging him in this whole process. David must have felt confused, mad, even sad, but Jonathan came to David and encouraged him in the Lord. It's so important to have friends that pray for us and encourage us. We all feel down sometimes but a good friend helps to pick us back up.
Lastly, in this friendship we see David keeping his covenant and promises to Jonathan.
Read 1 Samuel 20:16-17: "So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "Let the Lord require it at the hand of David's enemies. "And Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." This is fulfilled in 2 Samuel chapter 9 when David ascends to the throne and tries to find anyone left from Jonathan's family to take care of. Read 2 Samuel 9:1: Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” He finds Jonathan's son named Mephibosheth and takes care of him. David invites him into the King's house to eat with him whenever he wants. David fulfilled his promise to Jonathan and it's important for us to stick to our words as well. If we say we are going to do something then we should do it and be reliable so people can count on us.
Friendship with other believers in our lives is so important and we need each other to encourage and build up the other. Don't take advantage of the true friends God has given you because they are a blessing. On the other hand, don't be stuck with friends who don't lift you up and lead you into things that will hurt you. God wants us to have friendships that lead us into more union with Him, so be thoughtful to the friends you surround yourself with and always be looking for ways to be a good friend to them.
Jonathan's covenant friendship with David is a beautiful picture of Jesus' covenant love for us!
1. Jonathan loved David as himself → Jesus loves us more than His own life '
2. Jonathan gave David his royal robes → Jesus clothes us in His righteousness 3. Jonathan gave David his weapons → Jesus gives us spiritual armor
4. Jonathan protected David from Saul → Jesus protects us from sin and death 5. Jonathan gave up his throne → Jesus gave up His throne for a time to become man (Philippians 2:5-8)
6. Jonathan's covenant cost him a throne → Jesus' covenant cost Him His life
Jonathan was willing to give up his throne for David, and Jesus gave up His throne for a time to become man and die for us (Philippians 2:5-8)! When we trust Jesus as our Savior, He calls us His friends and shares everything with us - forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God's family forever!
Discussion Questions:
1. What made Jonathan's love for David so remarkable?
2. How do you think David felt receiving Jonathan's royal gifts?
3.What does it mean to love someone "as your own soul"?
4. How does Jesus' friendship exceed even Jonathan's love for David?
5. What would change in your friendships if you loved like Jonathan loved David?
Memory Verse:
"And Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." 1 Samuel 20:17
Survey:
If you have been going through this blog and reading it, please text "Calvary Kids" to 208-409-4536. We are looking to see how many people are reading this blog to see if we should continue posting. Thanks so much and can't wait to get your text!
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:27-33; 1 Samuel 23:14-18, and 2 Samuel 9.
David had been playing the harp for Saul before he fought Goliath, so he had known Jonathan for a while. After David defeated Goliath and spoke to King Saul, Jonathan developed a deep respect and bond for David. What's unusual about Jonathan loving David like this is that David was his potential rival to take over the throne. Jonathan wasn't threatened by David and in this though and we see good examples of what a good friend should look like.
1. Someone who loves you and respects you for who you are. Respect means when you think highly of someone and you consider how they feel and who they are.
2.Someone who is not in competition with you. We want friends to help us and want good things for us, not friends who are always trying to beat us.
Jonathan ended up giving everything up to David that represented his royal identity. Jonathan was showing David that he was more important than being King and that he didn't feel threatened by David. This gives us a great example of a friend that sees their friend as more important than the stuff they have and what status it gives them.
Next we see Jonathan speaking well about his friend to his father Saul. Saul was still angry at David and wanted to kill him but Jonathan changed his dad's mind. This would put Jonathan at odds with his father but he was still loyal to David and cared about him very much. Even when Saul continued to want to kill David, Jonathan was still helping David and encouraging him in this whole process. David must have felt confused, mad, even sad, but Jonathan came to David and encouraged him in the Lord. It's so important to have friends that pray for us and encourage us. We all feel down sometimes but a good friend helps to pick us back up.
Lastly, in this friendship we see David keeping his covenant and promises to Jonathan.
Read 1 Samuel 20:16-17: "So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "Let the Lord require it at the hand of David's enemies. "And Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." This is fulfilled in 2 Samuel chapter 9 when David ascends to the throne and tries to find anyone left from Jonathan's family to take care of. Read 2 Samuel 9:1: Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” He finds Jonathan's son named Mephibosheth and takes care of him. David invites him into the King's house to eat with him whenever he wants. David fulfilled his promise to Jonathan and it's important for us to stick to our words as well. If we say we are going to do something then we should do it and be reliable so people can count on us.
Friendship with other believers in our lives is so important and we need each other to encourage and build up the other. Don't take advantage of the true friends God has given you because they are a blessing. On the other hand, don't be stuck with friends who don't lift you up and lead you into things that will hurt you. God wants us to have friendships that lead us into more union with Him, so be thoughtful to the friends you surround yourself with and always be looking for ways to be a good friend to them.
Jonathan's covenant friendship with David is a beautiful picture of Jesus' covenant love for us!
1. Jonathan loved David as himself → Jesus loves us more than His own life '
2. Jonathan gave David his royal robes → Jesus clothes us in His righteousness 3. Jonathan gave David his weapons → Jesus gives us spiritual armor
4. Jonathan protected David from Saul → Jesus protects us from sin and death 5. Jonathan gave up his throne → Jesus gave up His throne for a time to become man (Philippians 2:5-8)
6. Jonathan's covenant cost him a throne → Jesus' covenant cost Him His life
Jonathan was willing to give up his throne for David, and Jesus gave up His throne for a time to become man and die for us (Philippians 2:5-8)! When we trust Jesus as our Savior, He calls us His friends and shares everything with us - forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God's family forever!
Discussion Questions:
1. What made Jonathan's love for David so remarkable?
2. How do you think David felt receiving Jonathan's royal gifts?
3.What does it mean to love someone "as your own soul"?
4. How does Jesus' friendship exceed even Jonathan's love for David?
5. What would change in your friendships if you loved like Jonathan loved David?
Memory Verse:
"And Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." 1 Samuel 20:17
Survey:
If you have been going through this blog and reading it, please text "Calvary Kids" to 208-409-4536. We are looking to see how many people are reading this blog to see if we should continue posting. Thanks so much and can't wait to get your text!
Posted in Calvary Kids