Untitled Sermon (2)

(NRSV)

(NRSV)

1When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. = like-minded and on one-accord for Israel.

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3Then Jonathan made a covenant = commitment with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

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4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

(NRSV)

1Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul’s son Jonathan took great delight in David. = jealousy

2Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself. = informed and betrays his father trust

3I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you.”

4Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you;

5for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?”

6Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.”

7So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

(NRSV)

1David asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

1David asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and he was summoned to David. The king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “At your service!”

3The king said, “Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” Ziba said to the king, “There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”

4The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”

5Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.

6Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, “Mephibosheth!” He answered, “I am your servant.”

7David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always.”

8He did obeisance and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?”

9Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.

10You and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him, and shall bring in the produce, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat; but your master’s grandson Mephibosheth shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.

12Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants.

13Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.