TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 18-21
OVERVIEW:
David and Jonathan become friends; David is promoted in the site ofIsraeland despised in the eyes of Saul; Saul plots and attempts to kill David; David is helped by Jonathan and others to escape Saul.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Killing the chief enemy ofIsrael(Goliath) certainly had a big effect on the reputation of David. God had chosen to promote him in the eyes of the Israelites while Saul, who seems to be far more concerned with how things look rather than the state of his heart, becomes protective of his position and jealous of David at the same time. With this, Saul loses his very most prized possession – his son. Jonathan, the supposed heir of the kingdom, is knitted to David and they become fast and permanent friends.
How sad for Saul as he continues to slide out of the picture of God’s plan. He wants more than anything for his kingdom to be preserved and for his son to sit on the throne in his place, and he will go to any lengths to see that he accomplishes this. In the process of this pursuit Saul loses the essence of what he was really after – respect. Matthew16:26says it all, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Jonathan, however, is motivated by love, friendship, a covenant he made with David, and a calm sense that God is in control. Chapter 20 makes it clear that Jonathan was not naïve about David replacing him, but Jonathan new that there are more important things than ones own promotion in front of people. Jonathan would gladly play the role of protecting David, and with this, becomes one of the most beautiful portraits of selfless friendship and brotherly love in the whole Bible. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13, “Ye are my friends,” Jesus continues to say, “If you do whatsoever I command you.”
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the FRIEND THAT STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER – I Samuel 18:3 (Proverbs18:24, John15:13-16)
By JONATHAN, knowing that it was God’s will to make David king, stripped himself of his royal robe, promising all that he had to David – I Samuel 18:3-4. (Phil. 2:5-8 – Jesus, knowing, the will of the Father, stripped Himself of His royal robe, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.)