True Friendship
I Samuel 18-20
May 21, 2000

I. Qualities of Great Friendship

1.      Recognition of kindred minds v. 1

"soul...knit to the soul;" love for the Lord must have been the basis of this unity; common bond goes deeper than interest in sports, hobbies.  This soul-unity exceeds artificial barriers of age, geography, and culture.

2.      Self-giving love v. 1

Evidence of his love is shown through the text.  What do you do when you love someone as yourself?  (1) Loyalty, (2) interest in meeting needs, (3) acceptance.

3.      Loyalty expressed in covenant v. 3

Ceremonial act - splitting animal, passing between... "If I am unfaithful to my word in this covenant, may I end up in pieces as this animal" (Davis 52).  Different view of ancient covenant and the past.

(1)   Recognizes and established terms between two parties.

(2)   Stipulates extent of relationship.

(3)   Stipulates consequences if kept and broken.  The details of this are sketchy, but obvious they were bound to each other in "covenant loyalty."

4.      Recognize the other's worth v. 4

Here it is expressed by shedding of his robe and armor:  symbol of one's position.  A sign that he was stepping aside as crown prince to give way to David.  You did not do this in ancient Middle East!  This was considered crazy by others.  Place extraordinary value on the relationship.  None of this, "What's in it for me?" What can I do for you?

5.      Survives tests in the relationship 19:1-7

       a. Test of animosity

(1)   Jonathan's position was the ultimate issue with Saul.

(2)   Recognized sin on Saul's part and chose greater portion.

(3)   Intervened for David, rationally, morally, theologically vv. 4-5.

             b. Test of naivety

(1)   Honest questions vv. 1-2.

(2)   Receives instruction vv. 3-4.

(3)   Covenant renewed vv. 8-17.

            c. Test of humiliation vv. 18-34

6.      Unfailing love vv. 35-42

 

II. Qualities of the Greater Friendship

            1. Success because of the Lord's presence 18:12, 14, 28

(1)   in spite of Saul's insane jealousy

(2)   in  spite of Saul's trickery...nothing can thwart the Lord's purposes.

2. Protection by the Lord's hand

(1)   David's naivety 18:10-11

(2)   In constant danger with his service 18:12-16

(3)   In the marriage dowry 18:20-29

(4)   In a second attack by Saul 19:8-10...the naivety is gone!

(5)   In the danger at home 19:11-17

(6)   In danger before Samuel 19:18-24

3. Sustaining by the Lord's grace vv. 18-20, 24

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by South Woods Baptist Church.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:

Copyright South Woods Baptist Church. Website: www.southwoodsbc.org. Used by permission as granted on web site. Questions, comments, and suggestions about our site can be sent here.