Who was David? A shepherd boy who was chosen by God to be King Who was Saul? The king of Israel whom God rejected; jealous of David; tried to get rid of him Lesson? In everything David did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.
Today we’re going to learn about someone who became best friends with David. His name was Jonathan. Jonathan was Saul’s son. When Saul died, Jonathan was supposed to be the next king. But instead of being jealous like his father, Jonathan loved David.
1 Sam 18:1, 3-4Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan and David’s Relationship:
One in spirit
Loved as himself
Made a covenant with each other (take some time to explain this; can get kids to act out the exchange of belongings etc as illustration)
My life is yours; your life is mine
Till death do us part
Exchanged belongings (robe, tunic) and weapons (bow, sword):
What is mine is yours
A marriage relationship between husband and wife is also a type of covenant — 2 lives becoming one until death; symbolised by the exchanging of rings.
2. LESSON
Jonathan: A Picture of Jesus Jonathan’s life is a picture of the true friendship we have in Jesus — loyal, dedicated, sacrificial
Laid aside his position as heir
Jonathan was the successor to Saul’s throne; but he recognised that David was God’s chosen one, giving David his robe and weapon
1 Sam 23: 17“You will be kingover Israel, and I will be second to you.”
Placed his life on the line (Risked his life) for his friend
1 Sam 20:32-33And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?” 33 Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David.
When Jonathan found out his father wanted to kill David, Jonathan protected David and spoke out in defense to his father. This angered Saul so much that Saul also threw a spear at Jonathan.
Encouraged his friend in the wilderness
1 Sam 23:15-1715 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned thatSaul had come out to take his life.16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strengthin God.17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be kingover Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
When David ran away and hid because Saul wanted to kill him, Jonathan went to encourage him and reminded him of God’s promise that he will be king.
Jesus is our true friend / BFF
Jesus made a covenant with us when He died on the cross — He took our sins and exchanged them with His righteousness
Jesus laid aside His kingly position so we can become God’s heirs
Jesus — Lord of the universe — gave up everything and came to earth as a baby/man so that we can become children of God
Jesus laid down His life for his friends
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Jesus encourages us in our times of need
When we are sad or angry or tired, we know that our best friend Jesus is always there to help us.
Memory Verse: John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
