WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 He would not let him return to his father's house. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:09.640 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:19.820 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:25.140 And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:30.339 So that Saul set over the men of war. 00:00:31.060 --> 00:00:35.579 And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:40.619 All right. So that's sort of our theme text. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:42.140 We're going to look at some others. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:44.739 But remember, Jonathan was the king's son. 00:00:44.839 --> 00:00:47.960 He was the next heir to the throne. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:53.219 He had won great victories and a long career from serving in the Lord's army. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:00:56.579 But today, the victory did not belong to Jonathan. 00:00:56.700 --> 00:00:58.399 It belonged to David. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:00.420 And so what do we see here? 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:07.120 Do we see envy, insecurity, jealousy, fear? 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:08.019 We don't. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:13.680 We see Jonathan rejoicing that God had given them the victory through David. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:21.960 And he recognized immediately that the Lord was with the shepherd boy and that they had a deep, kindred spirit. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:26.560 Their souls were knit together, woven, bound together. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:31.120 That Jonathan loved David as his own soul. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:35.500 There's nothing inappropriate about this, as we are aware. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:42.560 But what I've experienced and many of you have experienced, I'm just going to speak for the men. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:46.599 I know there's a similar version of this for women, but I'm not going to try to get into that one. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:02:02.280 But men have a special, unique ability to go deep with each other, to have friendships that affect you and change you in very unique and special ways. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:03.500 It's different than marriage. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:06.159 Marriage is special, and God uses that in his own way. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:15.099 But brothers that sharpen each other and live to support and build up and encourage one another. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:20.479 Often a kindred spirit that soldiers have on the battlefield together. 00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:29.759 Any kind of story you read in military history always ends with the soldier saying, hey, we fought for each other. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:32.359 We fought to get each other through. 00:02:33.079 --> 00:02:34.340 We didn't think about the government. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:35.579 We didn't think about the flag. 00:02:35.580 --> 00:02:40.200 We thought about fighting for the man on our left and the man on our right. 00:02:41.140 --> 00:02:43.400 And those deep friendships are formed. 00:02:44.260 --> 00:02:48.620 And very similar, right, we see this wonderful relationship. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:55.500 He's given, this is a true picture of a deep, covenantal, brotherly love. 00:02:55.980 --> 00:02:58.800 A kindred spirit that God gives true friendships. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:07.140 Something that is special about this is rooted in mutual love and the knitting together of souls in verse 1. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:14.040 You get a glance at this in Deuteronomy 13.6 where it says, your friend who is your own soul. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:15.900 A picture of that. 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:17.939 Deuteronomy 13.6. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:22.759 To say that someone is a true friend means a companionship. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:28.419 That you share innermost thoughts and desires and like-mindedness. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:34.199 More of a spiritual connection bringing about loyalty and devotion. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:35.659 All right. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:37.619 So here's friendship principle number one. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:41.179 It's still underneath the bigger principle of the basis of friendship. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:43.079 But friendship principle number one. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:45.339 You see this in verses 1 and 2. 00:03:45.340 --> 00:04:00.420 True friends are given to us by God as an act of his grace, care, and love for us. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:07.000 So notice God brings Jonathan to David in this time. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:11.539 Notice that on the surface, these two men have nothing in common. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:12.960 Like zero. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:15.900 Family background, wealth, prestige. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:17.959 David had neither one of those. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:23.100 What brings them together initially is their mutual love for the nation. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:26.660 But also their mutual love for the living God. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:29.579 But naturally speaking, they would be rivals. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:30.980 Right? 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:34.379 David threatened Jonathan's position as the future king. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:37.659 And this speaks to like Jonathan's selflessness. 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:39.500 His humility. 00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:42.139 He only wanted what God wanted. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.019 He wanted what was best. 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:48.120 And he knew that God had abandoned his father. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:54.240 And he knew also, more and more apparent as we continue to look, that God had chosen David. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:59.339 And he was committing himself to what God's purpose was. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.079 Even at the expense of knowing that he probably would not be king. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:04.819 Think about how selfless that is. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:12.019 So when Jonathan relinquished his, see in our text, he relinquished his garments, his clothes, his armor. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:16.219 All of that was an act that symbolized his faith in God. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:20.740 And that he knew that David was the apparent heir to the throne. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:24.319 He is not filled with fear and envy. 00:05:24.479 --> 00:05:28.099 But instead he trusts humbly in God's plan. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:30.299 He gladly rejoices at what God is doing. 00:05:30.919 --> 00:05:32.219 He doesn't fight against it. 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:40.680 But God knew that David was going to need an intimate friend for all the hard days that were going to lay ahead. 00:05:40.820 --> 00:05:42.880 And Jonathan was going to be that friend. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:45.280 So understand what I mean. 00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:52.220 Like God has given me certain friends in certain seasons of my life that I needed, particularly at that time. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:55.120 And he does the same for all his people. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:58.480 And so he gladly embraces it. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:02.139 As Jonathan names means, Jehovah has given. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:07.160 So he was given to David as a friend to face the tough road that lay ahead. 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:26.460 So friendship principle number two underneath this section is that true friends are willing to deny themselves and willingly sacrifice on behalf of others. 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:28.039 That's what you see in our text. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:31.339 That brings us to our second point, broader point. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.039 The test of friendship. 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:35.439 All right. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:41.879 So their friendship, their brotherly love for one another was put there on extreme test. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:49.220 So tragically, as we looked at a few weeks ago, Saul has rebelled against God and God has given him over to his sin. 00:06:50.020 --> 00:06:52.220 He said that you will no longer be king. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:56.920 And it says in verse 14 that David had great success. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:01.880 He prospered in all his undertakings for the Lord was with him. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:09.220 It actually says four times in this chapter, 18, that the Lord was with him and that he prospered. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:19.240 So as David continues to have success and prosper, so Saul is increasingly getting jealous, filled with hatred and envy. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:22.140 That increases the more David succeeds. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:29.780 So Saul's malice and jealousy towards David was like becoming more and more obvious with each passing day. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:35.880 And so this is a horrible situation, but it is a test of Jonathan's friendship with David. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:40.640 We see here from the scripture, Proverbs 17, 17, 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:49.700 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:52.040 Proverbs 17, 7. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:56.220 So David and Jonathan is not a fair weather friend. 00:07:56.900 --> 00:07:59.680 He's not, I'm just in this for this reason. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:10.560 True friends, if they love towards one another at all times, favorable times, troubling times, thick and thin, no matter what. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.639 They will love you when you are unlovable. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:17.099 They will pursue you and speak God's word to you. 00:08:17.099 --> 00:08:24.800 The wisdom writer wrote in Proverbs 18, 24, a man of many companions may come to ruin. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:29.259 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:33.419 So it doesn't matter how cool and popular you think you are. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.580 It really doesn't matter at all. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:43.080 Listen, if you walk away from this world, if you die one day and you've had maybe one to three really good friends, like, awesome. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.780 It doesn't matter how many. 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:47.000 It's the quality, not the quantity. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.700 That brings us to friendship principle number three. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:52.800 Right out of the scripture. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.640 True friends love at all times. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:59.140 Always faithful, no matter what the circumstance. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.860 True friends love at all times. 00:09:02.020 --> 00:09:04.379 Always faithful, no matter the circumstance. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:12.899 All right, so this is a sad story of Saul's demise marked by this vexing, distressful spirit that he has. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:14.659 It sends him into mad ravings. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:18.960 You might have thought I had some mad ravings last week, but I was running a temperature while I was up here. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:19.600 I didn't know it. 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:22.820 So maybe a different kind of mad raving than Saul. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:31.080 But as Saul became increasingly violent, it says that David evaded him and tried to kind of stand out of his way. 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:39.060 And we read the story of how Saul became so mad at him, he hurled a javelin at him in the room and tried to kill him. 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.560 And he escaped. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.800 And so this is just increasing. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:44.139 So Jonathan's in the middle. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:49.080 My father and my friend, who I know is going to be the future king of Israel. 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:53.520 Just imagine being in that position and how hard that is. 00:09:53.520 --> 00:10:00.840 He goes as far to, in chapter 19, the beginning of chapter 19, Saul goes as far to tell Jonathan, 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.420 and his attendants to kill David. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:03.759 You kill him. 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:07.379 Which he obviously refuses to do. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:13.500 But also, in addition to that, not only does he disobey his father, he says, I can't do that. 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:20.100 Jonathan loyally comes to his friend's defense, speaking the truth to his father. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.820 Jump over to chapter 19. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:27.019 And let's look at verse 4 and 5 in chapter 19. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:29.120 It says, 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:34.340 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul, his father, and said to him, 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:40.519 Let not the king sin against his servant, David, because he has not sinned against you, 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:43.919 and because his deeds have brought good to you. 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:48.179 For he took his life in his hand and struck down the Philistine, 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.580 and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:54.100 You saw it and rejoiced. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:59.740 Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause? 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:05.300 So he's defending his friend. 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:10.639 He's defending the fact that he knows God is at work within his friend to his father. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:17.580 And what's significant, right, is Saul is not only the king and Jonathan's father, 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:21.939 but at this point, you know, Saul has set himself against David as an enemy, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:26.179 but he boldly declares the truth to him and sticks up for his friend. 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.939 Hard for him to do this. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:30.439 Like, man, this is very hard to do. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:32.360 Just try to put yourself in that position. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:36.740 But he knew that God was with David and this was the right thing to do. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.639 He said, no, father, sorry. 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:42.680 And this leads to friendship principle number four. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:50.419 True friends speak truth and loyally come to the defense of others. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:56.620 True friends speak truth and loyally come to the defense of others. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:58.620 True friends speak truth and loyally come to the defense of others. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:04.200 If someone's badmouthing your friend in a sinful way, you should say, that's enough. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:07.000 That's not true about them. 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:11.080 All right, this moves on. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:13.740 We get into another section. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:18.740 It's still under the test of friendship, but jump to chapter 20 really quickly. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:20.759 Just we're moving forward a little bit. 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:23.779 We see that Jonathan warns David. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:30.759 And as this hatred increases for David, Jonathan feels more and more obligated to help protect his friend David. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:35.259 But David is not hopeful that Saul is going to come around. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.159 He's like, I think he means to kill me. 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:40.579 He's not going to take me back. 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:42.839 Things are not going to go back to the way they were. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:48.840 And so it says that chapter 20, verse 1. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:51.100 We're going to read just some sections together. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.120 So just hang with me. 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:55.879 I'll do my best to walk through this without losing anybody. 00:12:56.540 --> 00:12:57.700 Chapter 20, verse 1. 00:12:57.780 --> 00:13:04.100 It says, David fled from Nayuth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.740 What have I done? 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:11.840 What is my guilt and what sin before your father that he seeks my life? 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:14.740 And he said to him, Far from it. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.500 You shall not die. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:20.940 Behold, my father does nothing, either great or small, without disclosing it to me. 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.580 In other words, like, he's not trying to kill you. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:26.440 Because if he was, like, he would tell me that he was. 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.860 We don't keep anything from each other. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:32.820 He goes, And why should my father hide this from me? 00:13:33.300 --> 00:13:34.259 It is not so. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:41.279 But David vowed again, saying, Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:46.080 And he thinks, Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:54.620 But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death. 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:57.840 So he thinks that one mistake and I'm dead. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:03.240 Then Jonathan said to David, Whatever you say, I'll do for you. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.860 So he gives him the benefit of the doubt. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:08.620 Like, Okay, like, Okay, I hear you. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:15.080 And then David goes on with Jonathan to engage in this plan, if you would, 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:22.940 to figure out, to gauge whether or not it's safe for David to return to Saul's court. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:31.080 And so phase one of this plan would be that David continues to hide and he doesn't show up to the king's table. 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:36.700 And if Saul comes out there and he expresses remorse, like, Oh, where's David? 00:14:36.780 --> 00:14:37.580 I miss David. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:40.860 Like, I long for him to be in our presence again. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:44.940 Then they'll know that it's, like, safe for David to return. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:51.440 But on the flip side, if Saul is, like, really angry, he's, like, furious that David's not there, 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:56.160 then it's like, Ooh, like, maybe it's not safe for you to come back. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:15:00.019 So that's phase one of the plan. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.839 So let's look at chapter 20, starting in verse 10. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:09.159 Just skipping ahead to save time, but chapter 20, verse 10. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:15.819 Then David said to Jonathan, Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly? 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:20.279 And Jonathan said to David, Come and let us go out into the field. 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:22.620 So, like, Hey, just walk with me. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:24.539 Let's walk and talk kind of thing. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:27.439 So they both went out into the field. 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:32.519 And Jonathan said to David, The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:40.539 When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow or the third day, 00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:48.699 behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.819 Like, I'll let you know. 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:56.700 But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord, do so to Jonathan and more also, 00:15:56.879 --> 00:16:01.440 if I disclose it to you and send you away that you may go in safety. 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:02.780 All right? 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:09.600 So, then it says, May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.939 Verse 14. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:17.419 If I am still alive, show me steadfast love of the Lord that I may not die. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:22.699 And do not cut off your steadfast love for my house forever. 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:28.120 And when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:35.179 So, in other words, like, look, if I survive this, if I don't survive this, please be good to my family. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:37.200 Please be good to my descendants. 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:40.500 Because I know that God is going to cut off your enemies. 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.580 Because you are going to be the future king. 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:48.960 So, show this is the beginning of this covenant that David and Jonathan make together as brothers. 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:51.920 And so, it's verse 16. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:17:00.720 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, May the Lord take revenge on David's enemies. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:05.319 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him. 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:09.420 For he loved him as he loved his own soul. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:17.400 So, back then, when people made covenants of some sort, it probably was something like this. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.500 But they would take an animal. 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.100 They would cut the animal in two. 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:23.840 And they would lay the animal on the ground. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:27.039 It could be a dove or some other kind of animal. 00:17:27.800 --> 00:17:33.800 And then the two men making the covenant would kind of walk a figure eight pattern around that animal. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:40.859 And it was symbolic of saying, like, if I break my word to you, may this happen to me too. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:46.759 Like, may I be cut in two if I break this covenant before the Lord. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.339 So, this beautiful picture of friendship with Jonathan. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:53.919 He promises to be faithful to the covenant that he made. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:57.220 And he humbly asked David to remember it as well. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:18:00.819 Hey, when you're king one day, like, don't forget this covenant. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:06.599 So, remember, typically, kings would kill off any apparent rival at all. 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:08.139 Just read the history of the Roman Empire. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.899 Oh, my gosh. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:13.399 Like, tons of people being killed out of being rivals for the throne. 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:22.399 But he implores David to demonstrate covenant love to him and his children by allowing them to live. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.659 Like, don't cut us off when you're king. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:29.379 And this is a promise that David remembers and that he keeps faithfully. 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:33.400 So, this phase one, like, see what happens at dinner time. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:37.840 Phase two is, like, how he's going to let them know about the outcome. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:40.860 So, he's going to go out into a field with a servant. 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:43.900 And Jonathan's going to shoot his bow three times. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:46.720 Then he'll send the servant to retrieve it. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:51.740 This verse is chapter 20, 21 through 23. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.380 Check it out. 00:18:52.520 --> 00:18:53.400 Here's the plan. 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:57.960 If I say to the boy, look, the arrows are on the side of you. 00:18:58.540 --> 00:18:59.100 Take them. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:03.460 Then you are to come for as the Lord lives. 00:19:03.540 --> 00:19:06.340 It is safe for you and there is no longer danger. 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:11.320 But if I say to the youth, look, the arrows are beyond you. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:14.339 Then go, for the Lord has sent you away. 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:19.799 And as for the matter of which you have spoken, I have spoken. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:24.039 Behold, the Lord is between you and me forever. 00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:26.799 So, meaning, like, I'm going to warn you. 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:29.359 One of those warnings will be, like, hey, it's okay to come back. 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.579 And the other one, like, no, run. 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.639 Like, your life's in danger. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:34.859 But then he reminds them, like, that's the covenant that we just made. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:38.119 Between me, the Lord is between us. 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.979 Like, we will keep this covenant forever. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:44.559 And the plan works, but not as they had hoped. 00:19:45.459 --> 00:19:45.739 Right? 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:48.659 Saul is furious that David is not at dinner. 00:19:49.439 --> 00:19:51.279 He's furious that he's not at the table. 00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:52.739 He missed for two days. 00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:57.019 And Jonathan tries to, like, soothe his father's rage and say, 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:59.619 Hey, Dad, like, chill, man. 00:19:59.719 --> 00:20:00.379 Like, come on. 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:02.619 And he is not having it. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:08.019 So he then turns his rage on his own son, Jonathan. 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:11.199 And who now becomes the object of his murderous rage. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.219 So look at chapter 20. 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:15.179 Go down to verse 30. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.179 This is what happens. 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.299 It says, 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:21.000 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:22.659 And he said to him, 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:25.879 You son of a perverse, rebellious woman. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.139 So he's trashing him. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:37.940 Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? 00:20:38.280 --> 00:20:44.440 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:49.000 Therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:56.240 Then Jonathan answers Saul, his father, why should he be put to death? 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.799 What has he done? 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:01.640 But Saul hurled a spear at him to strike him. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:06.400 So, wow, now he's, like, hurling javelins at his own son in his fury. 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:11.300 So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:18.780 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month. 00:21:19.040 --> 00:21:23.360 For he was grieved for David because his father had disgraced him. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.340 Loyal to him. 00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:28.680 It now turns into Saul lashing out against his own son. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.759 It's been loyal to him. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:33.800 Sin is an ugly, nasty, damning thing. 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.500 We see it in the scripture. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:39.279 And we see it in our world and in our own lives. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:44.759 So, the next day, Jonathan went out to the field and he shot the arrows. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.480 And he gave David the warning. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.839 He sent the boy to retrieve him. 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:51.359 This is verse 37 through 42. 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:54.659 Again, the idea of covenant is brought up here. 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.000 All right? 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:58.259 So just imagine David waiting in suspense. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.700 Jonathan called after the boy and said, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:03.000 Is not the arrow beyond you? 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.519 And Jonathan called after the boy, 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.599 Hurry, be quick, do not stay. 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:11.779 So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. 00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:15.559 But the boy knew nothing of the plan. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.359 Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:22.759 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.419 Go and carry them to the city. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.839 Verse 41. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:35.819 As soon as the boy had gone, David rose from behind the stone heap and fell on the face to the ground and bowed three times. 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:41.259 And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:43.779 And Jonathan said to David, 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:49.799 Go in peace because we have sworn, both of us, in the name of the Lord, saying, 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:56.480 The Lord shall be between me and you and between my offspring and your offspring forever. 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:58.619 And he rose and departed. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.640 And Jonathan went into the city. 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:05.200 So the plan worked, but not how they had hoped. 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:14.440 But notice that as David is weeping and he's hurting, Jonathan maintains himself to encourage his friend. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.020 Do you see that? 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.300 They're not both just like, 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:16.840 Oh! 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.780 Like they're both, 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:21.180 Jonathan is trying to strengthen him and say, 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.340 Yes, this is hard. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.780 I know. 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:25.759 But clearly, this is what God wants you to do. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:30.700 And so this is the tragic story of all of this. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.539 But he sends off the servant. 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:35.139 You see David bowing down to him three times. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:38.180 It's a sign of great respect and honor. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.399 And he's saying, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.660 Look, you know, my father wants to kill you. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.420 You were right the whole time. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:46.259 But God is not with him anymore. 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.079 He is with you. 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.180 He's empowering you. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:52.319 And they reaffirm their brotherhood and their covenant love for one another. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:55.339 And love for their families to come. 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:58.379 So from this point on, David lives in an outcast. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.859 He's a fugitive from the house of Saul. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:03.819 Because we read some about that in the previous week. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:09.839 And in the time that came, David had two opportunities to kill Saul and didn't. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.500 Out of his love and respect for Saul. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:15.819 This is a huge one coming up. 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:21.399 But a little later in our story, David is still being pursued by Saul. 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:27.900 While he's hiding in the wilderness, we see a reappearance, a resurfacing of Jonathan. 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.280 David's trusting God, but he's struggling. 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:33.400 He's like, he's struggling. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.900 He's in a low place. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.560 And this is in chapter 23. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.580 We're closing up with 1 Samuel here. 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:42.580 But jump over to chapter 23 to read this. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.919 This is a huge one. 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:55.599 But this text, again, highlights Jonathan's humility, his godly character, and his trust in God's providential plan, no matter what, even if he doesn't know what's happening. 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:59.279 We see Jonathan pay attention to the needs of David. 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:01.460 He knows that his friend is not doing well. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:04.880 And so he comes to him in this place of need. 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:08.000 He knew that his friend needed to be strengthened. 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:10.640 All right, 1 Samuel 23. 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:13.319 Let's read verse 14. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:20.940 David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziba. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:26.000 And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:32.960 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:36.960 David was in the wilderness of Ziba and Horesh. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:41.720 And Jonathan's son Saul rose and went to David at Horesh. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:44.059 And I underlined this in your Bible. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:46.799 And strengthened his hand in God. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.519 Strengthened his hand in God. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:56.299 And he said to him, Do not fear, for the hand of Saul, my father, shall not find you. 00:25:57.059 --> 00:26:01.379 You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.940 Saul, my father, also knows this. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:10.039 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord, probably reassuring each other of that covenant. 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:13.900 David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:17.139 So David's in this place of weakness. 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.079 He's not doing well. 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:22.740 Jonathan hears about it, and he goes and he finds him to strengthen his hand in God. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:28.559 Paraphrasing, he's like, Look, David, I know it's hard, but put your trust in the Lord. 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:35.299 Remember the Lord's promise that you will one day soon be the king of our nation. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:38.759 And God willing, if I'm there, I'll be there to support you. 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:42.139 But stop doubting God's word. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:45.859 Just in case you're struggling, let me share something with you. 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:49.139 My dad knows that this is going to happen. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:52.279 He's aware that you will be the king. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.879 So don't be afraid. 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:55.199 Trust in the Lord. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:27:02.879 So, best friends are those who turn our hearts to rest upon the Lord. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:05.960 Proverbs 18, 24. 00:27:07.260 --> 00:27:08.060 Example of this. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:10.580 A friend who sticks closer than a brother. 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:14.880 A real friend is one who seeks to strengthen and build us up. 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:18.800 As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.800 Proverbs 27, 8, 17. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:28.019 Friends come face to face with this and they come together to build up and strengthen one another in the Lord. 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.419 Proverbs 27, 9. 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:36.659 Oil and perfume make the heart glad and the sweetness of a friend comes from earnest counsel. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:42.139 And this leads us to our fifth principle of friendship. 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:49.160 True friends are those who encourage others and strengthen their hand in God. 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:55.259 True friends are those who encourage others and strengthen their hand in God. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:28:03.600 I've had so many brothers do this for me at different times in my life when I was not doing well. 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.620 And they heard of it. 00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:10.880 And as busy as they were, they dropped what they were doing and came to build me up. 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:13.700 One of my many hospital trips. 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:18.240 Several years ago, I had to go to the emergency room at Northeast Georgia. 00:28:19.060 --> 00:28:22.000 Pretty sure Erica was there making fun of me. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:25.259 And being like, I know you're here just for the drugs, okay? 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.300 So what do you want? 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:34.220 And one of those times, I don't remember even what happened, but it was bad and I was not doing good. 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:39.460 And I'm kind of just sitting there in the recovery room, not doing well. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.700 And Cody shows up. 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.720 Dropped what he was doing. 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.580 Dropped his job. 00:28:44.780 --> 00:28:49.040 Dropped everything he was doing and came to build me up. 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:51.740 To strengthen my hand in God. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.600 Prayed with me. 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:58.180 Handed me the with your shield or on it patch. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.880 And said, you're going to get through this, dude. 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:06.940 Real friends are there for you when you're not doing well. 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.440 Sorry. 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:11.320 So, sorry. 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:21.960 More recently, also, the past few weeks of sickness and surgery and also have kind of left me in a low place. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:26.620 And out of the blue, like, I might talk to this guy like once every two months maybe. 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:31.500 But my friend Will Hollis, who's still active duty, called me. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:34.720 And he's like, man, I just wanted to call you to just encourage you today. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.200 That's all. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:38.559 Like, don't ask how I'm doing. 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.039 I'm doing good. 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.519 How about you? 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:45.299 I just want you to know that all those years we spent together, really, the Lord used those to impact my life. 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:51.919 And I want you to know that the Lord is going to continue to work through you and encourage you and help you, brother. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.440 It was like just out of the blue. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.819 Just a random phone call. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:04.299 But true friends are those who encourage others and strengthen their hand in God, reminding them. 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:06.119 So David needed this. 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:10.039 And Jonathan came there and reminded him of God's purpose for him. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.720 He's like, look, the Lord is with you, brother. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:21.380 They strengthen each other's hands in God by reminding them about the promises of God, especially suited for that particular need. 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:27.960 I could give you a lot of other examples, but for the sake of time, let's move on to the last point. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.360 The enduring friendship. 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.519 The enduring friendship. 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:37.440 So at the end of 1 Samuel, Saul and Jonathan go out to do battle with the Philistines. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.579 And it's a fierce fight. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.319 A lot of bloodshed. 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.899 But the Philistines overtook them. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:45.720 And Jonathan, along with the other sons of Saul, are killed. 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.939 Our beloved Jonathan hits the ground. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.200 And the battle was really tough. 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:55.259 And Saul was eventually hit by some arrows. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:57.220 He knew the end was near. 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:59.819 He asked his armor bearer, like, hey, kill me. 00:31:00.439 --> 00:31:01.179 Just kill me. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:07.700 Because I don't want to fall into the hands of these uncircumcised pagans who wish to mistreat me. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:10.100 And the armor bearer couldn't do it. 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:14.120 So Saul fell on his own sword and killed himself. 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:28.179 Tragically, after the battle, it says the Philistines cut off his head, stripped his armor off, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to their people. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:31.539 So it looks like evil won, right? 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:36.960 Well, remember, David kind of cleans house after all this. 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:39.960 But a tragic, tragic thing. 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:44.180 Saul could have ruled for a long time and his descendants after him. 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.440 But sin destroyed that. 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.440 So David's response. 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.440 So David's waiting. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:52.579 And he hears the news that Saul and Jonathan are dead. 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:54.900 Remember, Saul was one of his heroes. 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.980 I mean, lowercase h. 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:58.779 But he looked up and he hears about this. 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.539 This is the end of the... 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.960 This is in 2 Samuel. 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.579 2 Samuel. 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.940 So we're getting into 2 Samuel now. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.840 Just a couple verses. 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:11.559 But this is how David responds to hearing about their deaths. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.039 Verse 23. 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:19.700 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely, in life and in death, they were not divided. 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.519 They were swifter than eagles. 00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:23.059 They were stronger than lions. 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:31.720 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothe you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.579 Here's that famous phrase. 00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:36.879 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle. 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:39.559 Jonathan lies slain on the high places. 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:42.980 I am distressed for you, my brother, Jonathan. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.779 Very pleasant have you been to me. 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:50.899 Your love to me was extraordinarily surpassing the love of women. 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:56.660 How the mighty have fallen and the weapons of war perished. 00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:59.759 So he wept greatly over them. 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.720 He said they fought hard together. 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.800 They were never separated. 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:05.800 And I'll never forget the impact he had on me. 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.880 And that's the last principle. 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.780 Friendship principle number six. 00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:17.060 True friends are those who impact our lives forever, even when they are taken away to be with the Lord. 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:23.960 True friends are those who impact our lives forever, even when they are taken away to be with the Lord. 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:27.339 And then wrapping this up. 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:32.039 We all know who this is looking to and prefiguring. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:39.799 As our Lord Jesus gathered his disciples on his final night before his death and prepared them for what was ahead. 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:42.960 You want to flip over and this is our last thing we're looking at. 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.359 We're done. 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.480 But John 15. 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.759 John 15 verse 12. 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:49.819 Jesus said his disciples, this is my commandment. 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:53.839 That you love one another as I have loved you. 00:33:53.839 --> 00:34:00.799 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:05.099 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:10.480 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:12.779 But I have called you friends. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:17.759 For all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:26.060 So this is Jonathan as amazing as he was with just a prefigure of our Lord Jesus. 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:37.080 He pointed forward the security of this left, the palace, the comfort, the safety, and went into a world of hardship and danger. 00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:45.300 And like Jonathan he left the glories and riches of that and he came into poverty and homelessness in our world. 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:54.500 Not only did Jesus strengthen our hand in God, but he brought us into a saving relationship with God through the shedding of his blood. 00:34:55.240 --> 00:35:00.940 He laid down his life for his friends who are also his people. 00:35:02.160 --> 00:35:03.680 And Jesus is always faithful. 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.500 Our friend loves at all times. 00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:10.960 He says in Hebrews 13, I will never leave you or forsake you. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:15.940 Matthew 28, he's with us always, even to the end of the age. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:23.599 So we therefore serve Jesus well when we stand by our friends in the faith. 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:27.659 And speak words that will strengthen their faith in Christ's name. 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:30.460 Share their troubles and their sorrows. 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:33.460 And then by a quote with Jonathan Edwards. 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:45.340 Edwards said, let it be our first love to enter into an everlasting friendship with Christ that shall never be broken. 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.059 Let's pray together. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.059