Friendship Forged in Faithfulness
Notes
Transcript
A. Rapport for the Time
B. Reading of the text
C. Review of the text
Saul is out to kill David
1 And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David.
Before this time Saul was trying to manipulate situation to try and have David killed. After chapter 19:1 he doesn’t care anymore he just wants it done by whatever means necessary.
D. Relevance of the text
In the verses this morning I want us to look at the choices made by Jonathon to serve God vs. serving his own father. Make no mistake it would have been a hard choice but one that he made before times got bad with his father.
1. Unyielding Loyalty Unveiled
1. Unyielding Loyalty Unveiled
24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.”
Let’s be honest with one anther. The events of Chapter 19 make me wonder why Saul would ever think David would show up to dinner.
18 Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth.
19 And it was told Saul, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.”
20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.
22 Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”
23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24 And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Either Samuel is not in perfect order sometimes or Saul believed this event was one in which David would see has honoring the Lord and attend. But surely not with his back turned toward him. Saul seems to think that David might be unclean and that is why he could not attend.
20 but the person who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of the Lord’s peace offerings while an uncleanness is on him, that person shall be cut off from his people.
21 And if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether human uncleanness or an unclean beast or any unclean detestable creature, and then eats some flesh from the sacrifice of the Lord’s peace offerings, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
29 He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”
David has now gone so far in vs. 27 that he won’t even say the name of David. He only calls him the son of Jesse. Seems to show us the mindset of David in this moment.
Jonathon begins to tell the story that he and David talked about but also adds a little extra information onto the story. Remember that David and Jonathon are just wanting to see the mind of Saul and if its ok for David to return or he needs to flee once again because Saul wants him dead.
T.S.
2. Uncommon Sacrifice Stands
2. Uncommon Sacrifice Stands
30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen 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 shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”
David had predicted this to Jonathon when they talked this all out. He thought Saul might get angry. One commentator said:
Saul appealed to three motivators.
Shame—by betraying his father he would bring personal shame on himself.
Guilt—Shame would be on your mother who had you
Greed—as long as David lives your kingdom will not be established
This shows us how much Saul understands about the events that are happening. He understand that God has chosen David to be King of Israel and his days are numbered.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”
9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”
10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”
11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.”
12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
Poor Jonathon...What a list of things to think about for Jonathon. Should he follow his father or the God he serves? Should he listen to the options and serve the world? This is a choice that each of us must make on how we will serve the Lord.
Saul ultimately brings this home by telling Jonathon bring David to me, knowing he knows his exact location, that I can kill him and we may retain the power WE desire.
32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
34 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.
vs. 33—spear at Jonathon this time
vs. 34— Grieved for David. The love Jonathon has for David is born out of his love for God.
T.S.
3. Unbreakable Bond Bids Farewell
3. Unbreakable Bond Bids Farewell
35 In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy.
36 And he said to his boy, “Run and find the arrows that I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37 And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”
38 And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master.
39 But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
40 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.”
41 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most.
42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’ ” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.
Greeting one another in love.
Jonathon is a follower of God. Peace
NT—disciples of the Lord need to know they serve the Lord.
In the world not of the world..
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart The Covenant May Demand Costly Commitment (20:24–34)
That true life does not consist in securing “you and your kingdom” but in reflecting Yahweh’s faithfulness in covenant relationships. There is something liberating about that! Jonathan had acknowledged that the kingdom was Yahweh’s and therefore David’s, so his life did not need to be centered in his ambition (what can I get) but in God’s providence (what Yahweh has given). Even as a believer and not as a crown prince my reigning passion is not to make my way, my living, or my mark; not to gain my place or to get ahead. That may be costly; but it is certainly liberating. Life does not consist in achieving your goals but in fulfilling your promises. That (previous) sentence is only cold print. But watch it; it’s dynamite. Handle with care.
Gospel centered friendships — my love for you is not conditional but instead is based upon our mutual love of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord’s Supper—
