Part 7: Jonathan

Welcome

Thank you so much for coming. 

Image

Jawan Taylor

Some teammates celebrate. Others quietly resent it.

Same locker room. Same jersey. Very different hearts.

That is exactly what is happening in this passage we are in tonight. 

Subject

Jonathan shows us what it looks like to go to war with and for your friends. 

Tonight we’re talking about friendships.

Not the kind built on convenience, popularity, or shared schedules. We’re talking about the kind that goes to battle. The kind that stands firm when comparison, jealousy, and competition show up.

Need

Middle school and high school are full of comparison.

Grades. Athletics. Looks. Followers. Talent.

If you are not careful, the people who should be your brothers and sisters become your rivals. This text teaches us how to fight the right battle.

Context

David has just defeated Goliath. He stands before King Saul and tells how the Lord delivered him. Jonathan, Saul’s son — the prince, the next in line for the throne — hears him speak.

From that moment, everything shifts.

David rises. The people cheer. The songs begin.

Two hearts respond very differently.

Text

1 When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself. 2 Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house.

3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. 4 Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5 David marched out with the army and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do…

6–7 The women sang: “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.”

8 Saul was furious… 9 So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.

Big Idea

Christian friendships fight for one another not against one another.

Transitional Question

How do you go to war with and for your friends instead of against them?

1) Walk like Jesus as you Walk with Others

Verse: 1 Samuel 18:1

Jonathan’s soul was “bound” or “knit” to David.

Why? Because he recognized God’s hand on him.

He heard David talk about the Lord’s deliverance — and instead of feeling threatened, he felt connected.

He did not compete with what God was doing. He aligned with it.

Students — when someone else succeeds, what happens in your heart?

Do you scroll and compare? Do you secretly hope they fail?

Or do you say, “God is working — I want in”?

Going to war with your friends starts by loving what God is doing in them.

2) Add Value to Those Around You

Verse: 1 Samuel 18:3–4

Jonathan makes a covenant. That means commitment.

Then he removes his robe — the symbol of royalty. His tunic — his rank. His sword and bow — his strength. His belt — his authority.

The prince hands over the symbols of the throne.

He chooses God’s kingdom over his own crown.

Meanwhile, Saul hears the song and thinks, “What more can he have but the kingdom?”

Jonathan had already answered that. If God has chosen David, I will support him.

Students — real friendship is not hype in public and silence in private.

It is standing up for someone. Encouraging them. Defending them when they are talked about.

Going to war for your friend means using your influence to build them up — not protect your image.

What comes out of your mouth reflects your heart

3) Refuse to be Rivals 

Verse: 1 Samuel 18:6–9

The song starts. Comparison enters.

“Thousands… tens of thousands.”

Saul becomes furious. Jealous. Suspicious.

Same victory. Different response.

Jonathan celebrates. Saul competes.

Jealousy turns teammates into enemies. Comparison turns brothers into rivals.

Students — rivalry shows up fast.

When your friend makes varsity. When someone else gets the lead role. When a classmate scores higher.

You cannot fight for your friend while competing for their crown.

Refuse rivalry.

If you are going to war with your friends, you cannot secretly root against them.

Healthy Friendships lead to Healthy Relationships

Date someone you enjoy with their clothes on

Jonathan shows us a shadow of something greater.

There is a true King — not David, not Saul — but the Son of David, Jesus Christ.

He did not grasp for status. He laid it down. He fought the ultimate battle — not against us, but for us.

At the cross, He went to war against sin so we could belong to His kingdom.

When Jesus is your King, you do not have to protect your throne. You are secure.

That frees you to celebrate others. To serve others. To fight for others.

Response

Who are you at war with right now?

Is there jealousy in your heart?

Comparison?

Competition?

Ask God to knit your heart to His kingdom.

Choose one friend this week to actively encourage.

Defend someone who is being talked about.

Celebrate someone else’s win.

Go to war — not against your friends — but for them.

Auxano

Abide