David had an incredible friend. King Saul’s son,
Jonathan, was one such person. Earlier, I told you David was anointed king long
before he sat on the throne. David needed to learn lessons from the Lord first.
The younger David had been a wonderful shepherd. King Saul promoted
David from armor bearer to a soldier in the army. This made the people happy
because they loved David.
David’s abilities and faith in the Lord made an
impression on the people and Saul. After promoting David, Saul became
jealous of David, after all, he killed a giant and his faith was far superior to
Saul’s. Story of David and Goliath King Saul wanted David gone
from his life in fact, he desires him dead. Isn’t that terrible?
Jonathan asked to be David’s friend and gave him
presents of: his robe off his back (like a coat), tunic or shirt, his belt,
sword, and bow. These tokens of friendship were precious to Jonathan. A man uses
these things for protection.
He told David how important he was to him by giving him these items. Jonathan made a covenant or promise to David. Here is what happened:
He told David how important he was to him by giving him these items. Jonathan made a covenant or promise to David. Here is what happened:
One day, David came to Jonathan and asked him why his
father was so angry with him. Jonathan didn’t want to believe his father wanted
to destroy David. He devised a plan. The plan was for David to miss an
important banquet in the palace with the King and his important officials.
In the plan, David would hide in a field and Jonathan would attend the banquet. At the banquet, Jonathan would see for himself if his father wanted to hurt or even kill David. Saul’s attitude toward David came out when he inquired after David. Jonathan told his father that David had somewhere else to go. Saul’s anger flared and Jonathan got the brunt of it. His own father threw a spear at Jonathan. Jonathan escaped and came to the field where David was hiding out.
In the plan, David would hide in a field and Jonathan would attend the banquet. At the banquet, Jonathan would see for himself if his father wanted to hurt or even kill David. Saul’s attitude toward David came out when he inquired after David. Jonathan told his father that David had somewhere else to go. Saul’s anger flared and Jonathan got the brunt of it. His own father threw a spear at Jonathan. Jonathan escaped and came to the field where David was hiding out.
Jonathan shot the arrow far toward David and sent his
helper to retrieve it. “Is not the arrow beyond you? Make haste, hurry, do not
delay.” 1Samuel 20:38
The boy returned with the arrow and Jonathan gave him
his bow and sent him back to town. The boy knew nothing of what had happened.
When the lad had gone, David got up from his hiding
place and bowed toward Jonathan. They hugged and wept because they realized David
needed to run away from Saul, his life depended on it. They were not sure when, or if, they would see each other again.
Jonathan said, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn
in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and
between your descendants and my descendants, forever.” 1Samuel 20:42
David departed and Jonathan went home. They kept the covenant to
protect and love each other throughout their lives. Jonathan was a
true friend. He put his friend’s life before his own. He didn’t know how his
father would act toward him after that day.
Are you a true friend? Do you place your friend’s needs
before your own? I hope so.
Memorize at least two: Proverbs 17:17a A friend loves at all times…
Proverbs 18:24 A
man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks
closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:10a Do
not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend…
Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated
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