READ: 1 Samuel 18 (Focus vs. 1–4)
MEMORY VERSE
“Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.”
1 Samuel 18:3
BACKGROUND
Northern Spain produced a beautiful way of expressing communion and friendship. With the countryside full of handmade caves, after each harvest some farmers would sit in a room built above a cave and inventory their various foods.
As time passed, the room became known as the “telling room”—a place of communion where friends and families would gather to share their stories, secrets, and dreams. If you needed the intimate company of safe friends, you would head for the telling room.
Had they lived in northern Spain, the deep friendship shared by Jonathan and David might have led them to create a telling room.
When King Saul became so jealous that he wanted to kill David, Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son, protected and befriended him. The two became “one in spirit” (1 Samuel 18:1).
And Jonathan “loved him as himself” (vv. 1, 3) and—though he was heir apparent to the throne—recognized David’s divine selection to be king. He gave David his robe, sword, bow, and belt (v. 4).
Later, David declared that Jonathan’s deep love for him as a friend was wonderful (2 Samuel 1:26).
As believers in Jesus, may He help us build our own relational “telling rooms”—friendships that reflect Christlike love and care. Let’s take the time to linger with friends, open our hearts, and live in true communion with one another in Him.
By: Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
We first read of Jonathan, King Saul’s oldest son, in 1 Samuel 13–14, 18–20. Jonathan was a valiant soldier. In a heroic move, Jonathan and his armorbearer went against the Philistines at Mikmash and singlehandedly killed twenty men.
Saul and his men joined the battle, and God led the Israelites to victory (13:23–14:23). Earlier, Saul had made the rash oath, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” (14:24).
So, his men went into battle hungry. But Jonathan hadn’t been around to hear the oath and had refreshed himself with honey while pursuing the enemy. Fortunately, the soldiers prevented Saul from carrying out his foolish oath (vv. 41–45).
In today’s text, we learn of Jonathan and David’s friendship. Jonathan put David ahead of his own interests and saved him from Saul’s attempt to kill him (ch. 20).
By: Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What kinds of commitments have you made to your friends? How can you express your love to them this week?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Those who have not experienced true friendship on earth cannot appreciate the friendship of God.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” John 15:13-14
“…there s a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“As believers in Jesus, may He help us build…friendships that reflect Christlike love and care.”
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to pursue vulnerable, loving, and authentic friendships.”
HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I WILL BE YOUR FRIEND Michael A. Schmid (True Vine Music)
When you’re down,
And you need someone who cares,
To come around,
Someone to listen,
To the aching in your heart,
Someone to take your part,
Someone to take your hand,
And lead you through.
I’ll be there to care, to share,
To walk the road with you
And I will make this promise
Now to you.
I’ll be your friend,
And I’ll always be there.
You can depend that.
I’ll never leave you,
And though we may be apart,
You’ll stay in my heart.
You can depend till the end
That I will be your friend.
Life is hard.
So many hurts,
So many ways to break your heart.
And what you need is,
Just a friend to stay with you,
A friend to pray with you,
A friend to point the way to better days.
I praise the Lord my God
For ev’ry precious gift He sends.
And I’m praising Him today,
For all my friends.
This is my prayer:
That God will always bless,
This friendship we share.
And that I’ll be a friend,
To help you stand up tall,
Forgive you when you fall,
To share the love of Jesus,
Through it all.
So many things I own,
that will someday fade away.
More precious are my friends,
With me today.
I’ll be your friend.
And I’ll always be there…
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
Joshua 22-24
Luke 3
