"THE BOND OF BIBLICAL FRIENDS"
Notes
Transcript
Proposition - As we continue our study in 1 Samuel we will be learning about the bond of biblical friends. We will see: 1) Biblical friends remain steadfast in the midst of difficulty, 2) Biblical friends stand for the truth in the midst of opposition, and 3) Biblical friends maintain the bond of unity in the midst of turmoil.
Interrogative question - Why kind of friend are you?
1. Biblical friends remain steadfast in the midst of difficulty - vs. 1-23
1. Biblical friends remain steadfast in the midst of difficulty - vs. 1-23
1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?” 2 He said to him, “Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. So why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!”
How do you think David is feeling at this point in time?
Why do you think that Jonathan is so confident in his response?
How do you think David is feeling after talking with Jonathan?
Do you have this kind of a friend? Are you this kind of a friend?
3 Yet David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’ But truly as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death.” 4 Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” 5 So David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening. 6 “If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’ 7 “If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that he has decided on evil.
Why does Jonathan go to so much measures for David? (what do you think is his motivation)
Why does Jonathan say whatever you say David I will do?
What is the plan that David has come up with?
8 “Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?” 9 Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 11 Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field.
Who is talking in verse 8?
Why do you think David says “put me to death yourself?” (or is this Jonathan saying this)
Can you imagine being in this kind of a situation?
12 Then Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you? 13 “If it please my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. 14 “If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the Lord, that I may not die? 15 “You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord require it at the hands of David’s enemies.”
What kind of a friend are you?
Can you even imagine a friend like this?
17 Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life. 18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty. 19 “When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain by the stone Ezel. 20 “I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target. 21 “And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the Lord lives. 22 “But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the Lord has sent you away. 23 “As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever.”
2. Biblical friends stand for the truth in the midst of opposition - vs. 24-33
2. Biblical friends stand for the truth in the midst of opposition - vs. 24-33
24 So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. 25 The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, “It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean.” 27 It came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David’s place was empty; so Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
Who is Abner?
Abner was a significant figure in the biblical narrative, serving as the commander of King Saul's army and his cousin. He belonged to a wealthy clan from the tribe of Benjamin and initially hoped to establish a lasting dynasty under Saul. However, his introduction of David, who famously defeated Goliath, ultimately contributed to the downfall of Saul's lineage. Despite his loyalty to Saul, Abner faced challenges as David's influence grew. After Saul's death, he placed Saul's son Ish-bosheth on the throne but became disillusioned with him. Recognizing David as the rightful leader, Abner defected to David's side. This decision led to his tragic end when Joab, David's commander, murdered him out of vengeance. David publicly mourned Abner and ensured he received a dignified burial, distancing himself from the act of treachery. Abner's legacy included contributions to the support of the Tabernacle of God, as noted in the Chronicles.
Abner was the uncle of King Saul and served as the general of his army. Following Saul's death, he supported Ishbosheth, Saul's son, as king for seven years, opposing David. Despite his efforts, Abner faced significant losses in battles. A notable conflict occurred near Gibeon, where he challenged Joab to a duel between twelve warriors from each side, resulting in a fierce battle that ended in Abner's defeat. He killed Asahel, Joab's brother, during his escape but later fell out of favor with Ishbosheth after being accused of inappropriate behavior. In response, Abner sought to transfer allegiance to David and met with him. However, Joab, feeling threatened and seeking revenge for Asahel's death, killed Abner during a subsequent meeting. David condemned Joab's actions, honored Abner with a grand funeral, and mourned his death with an elegy.
Why do you think that Saul was not considered about David not being there?
20 ‘But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the Lord, in his uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from his people. 21 ‘When anyone touches anything unclean, whether human uncleanness, or an unclean animal, or any unclean detestable thing, and eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the Lord, that person shall be cut off from his people.’ ”
5 ‘Anyone, moreover, who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening;
5 He said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
What happens on the next day?
28 Jonathan then answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem, 29 for he said, ‘Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.” 30 Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 “For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.”
How does Jonathan answer his dad?
Did Jonathan do what was right or wrong? (Why)
How does Saul respond?
How do you think Jonathan felt after his dad chewed him out?
What was the point that Saul was trying to make to Jonathan?
32 But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.
How might you respond if you were in Jonathan’s shoes?
How does Jonathan respond? (think about the 5th commandment)
3. Biblical friends maintain the bond of unity in the midst of turmoil - vs. 34-42
3. Biblical friends maintain the bond of unity in the midst of turmoil - vs. 34-42
34 Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him. 35 Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him. 36 He said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.” As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him. 37 When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan called after the lad, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!” And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39 But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.
How does Jonathan respond to what his dad said?
What kind of anger did Jonathan demonstrate?
Do you think that this was hard for Jonathan to do? (if so why?)
What does Jonathan do?
40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.” 41 When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more. 42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.
Why does Jonathan give his weapons to the lad and instruct him to take them to the city?
Why do you think Jonathan follows through with what he promised David?
Do you think that Jonathan was affected by what Saul told him regarding the kingdom?
Why do you think Jonathan is such a good friend?
SO WHAT?
What kind of a friend are you?
1) Biblical friends remain steadfast in the midst of difficulty,
2) Biblical friends stand for the truth in the midst of opposition, and
3) Biblical friends maintain the bond of unity in the midst of turmoil.
