1 Samuel 20 "Biblical Friendship"

“The Lord is witness between you and me forever.” (v.23)

Friendships are valuable beyond words, and that was certainly the case with David and Jonathan. This most famous of biblical friendships is the focus of our passage today. As we trace our way through the events of 1 Samuel, we see that this friendship encouraged David as he waited for God to fulfill His promise and make him king of Israel. 

Here in chapter 20, David and Jonathan reaffirmed their friendship with a covenant. They bound themselves, before God, to care for one another and their future generations (v.42). These two young men, who had been in battle together, were already friends, a relationship they kept even in the explosive atmosphere of Saul's court. Though Jonathan knew that David would take the throne, he felt no envy or anger (compare Saul in vv.30-31); in fact, Jonathan blessed David (v.13) and loved him as he loved himself (v.17). 

What a beautiful picture of biblical friendship we see in David and Jonathan! They were friends against the odds, through tough times, wholeheartedly. 

I am truly thankful for the "biblical friends" God has placed in my life. Those I can bare my soul to and them to me for prayerful support. It is my hope that God has blessed you with at least one such friend, someone who knows you well, who sticks with you through thick and thin, and who loves you unconditionally displaying true biblical friendship. If not, my prayer for you is that you develop such a relationship. 

The Truth
“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

1 Samuel 19 "Divine Protection"

Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he (David) shall not be put to death.” (v.6)

Today's reading is full of anxiety and danger for young David, but it is also full of evidence that God was with him, guiding him and protecting him from harm. All David needed was to look back on his own history to see the clear hand of God at work in his life.

As we go through life, we too will experience times of anxiety, frustration, maybe even life threatening danger. I know I have. In looking back on my life I can definitely see times of “divine protection” for both me and my family. Although we don't have the same kingly promises as David, we can still be confident of God's guiding, protective hand in our lives. 

As David wrote: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7)

The Truth

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

1Samuel 18 “David Behaved Wisely”

“And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” (v.14)

Four times in 1 Samuel 18, the writer tells us that David "behaved wisely" (vv.5,14,15,30). In fact, he behaved "more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed" (v.30).

The phrase "highly esteemed" suggests an unusual respect. David was not only honored by all the people but more significantly, he was highly respected by those in Saul's court who were impressed by his noble character. As we come to know Jesus through obedience to His Word, we too will begin to display qualities of character that set us apart from others.

James said, "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (3:17). This gracious way of making our way through the world can come only "from above."

David's experience can be ours as well, for God's promise to him is also true for us today.

The Truth

"I will instruct you [cause you to be wise] and teach you in the way you should go" (Psalm 32:8)

1 Samuel 17 "David vs. Goliath"

“This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands” (v.46)

'David versus Goliath' must rank as one of the most uneven matchups in military history! On one side, a powerful giant nine feet tall, heavily armored, experienced in fighting, confident and proud. His opponent a shepherd boy, unarmed except for a sling, with no battle experience, confident in God.

That spiritual fact outweighs the physical ones, for Goliath showed contempt for God and for His people. God's people, including Saul and David's jealous brothers, lacked the faith to respond to Goliath's godless challenge. David, however, trusted God and wanted to see His enemies defeated and His name glorified.

The Lord gave David a dramatic victory that day (vv. 46-47), and the shocked Philistines were sent running for home. His courage came from the God who guarantees victory. David had known the protection of Yahweh. While tending his sheep, he had faced lions and bears, and the Lord rescued him. He believed (rightly) that God would rescue him again from the hands of Goliath.

The lesson here for the faithless Israelites and us as well is; The battle belongs the Lord.

The Truth

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)

1 Samuel 16 "The LORD Looks at The Heart"

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (v.7)

At most High School reunions people will generally talk about how others look. Then as the evening progresses, the focus usually changes and the conversations turn to topics about life. So much of our time and attention are devoted to physical appearance that it’s easy to consider it, the most important aspect of our lives. But the Bible reminds us that God wants us to see ourselves, and others differently.

Here in chapter 16, when the Lord sent Samuel to anoint a new king over Israel (v.1), God reminded him to look deeper than physical characteristics: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature … For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v.7).

David the shepherd boy did not appear to be kingly material. His youthfulness did not measure up to the age and stature of his older brother Eliab (v.6). Yet the Lord corrected Samuel's original perception (v.7) and David would go on to become a great warrior and the Lord's chosen ruler of His people (1 Samuel 13:14; 18:8; 2 Samuel 7:1-17).

When you are tempted to judge someone by his/her outward appearance, remember the heart is what matters to God.

The Truth

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2)