today's treasure: 1 Samuel 20: 14-15
David is caught in a whirlwind of Saul's jealousy and this threat of death gave way to reaffirmation of Jonathan's covenant. We will discuss once in a lifetime friendships.
Read 1 Samuel 20: 1-42
Why did David flee to Jonathan?
True or false? Jonathan believed that his father was going to kill David
True or false? Jonathan would cast his spear to let David know Saul's response
Jonathan signaled his father's unfavorable response to David just as he promised. Why do you believe David "wept the most"
The Word of God tells us, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself" (! Sam 18:1) KJV says "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David." Hebrew word 'knit' and 'become one' in the NIV is qashar which means 'to tie, join together' . Jonathan and David are examples of two people knit together by something more powerful than circumstances or preferences.
The Spirit of God sometimes cements two people together as part of His plan. These two were uncommon friends joined by the Spirit of God.
Uncommon friends can speak their minds without fear. The tone in 1 Sam. 20:1-4 could be nothing less than panic, and Jonathan could have received David's words as an insult. Their initial words to one another would only be natural under the circumstances. What is not natural was their freedom to speak their minds to one another and move on to resolution without great incident.
Allowing others to speak their fears even when we can't understand is characteristic of uncommon friendship. Willingness to listen and then let the potential insults pass is not a sign of weakness.
Uncommon friends can share their hearts without shame. Uncommon friends can be vulnerable with one another and still retain their dignity. Their friendship was a safe place to trust and show feelings and they shared a common goal: the will of God.
Read Romans 12:15 What do you believe people really need from us when they are extremely emotional?
Do you have a friend with whom you feel safe sharing your heart?
Uncommon friends can stay close even at a distance. Jonathan and David's friendship was brought together by spiritual ties, not sequences of time. They had 'sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord' (v. 42) Their friendship was a bond of three.
Do you have a 'three strand' friendship? and in what ways do you keep God an active part of the friendship?
Be partners in the gospel, ministry, dedicated to share the Word of God. God can bind common lives like yours and mine in uncommon ways.
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