David and Jonathan - Friends forever
1 Samuel 18-24, 1 Samuel 14:1-16, 2 Samuel 1
Today we have the privilege and opportunity to learn of two "Friends" David and Jonathan. This story can help us to be true to our friends, as Jonathan and David were as well as avoid being consumed by jealousy, hatred, and anger as Saul was.
Attention Activity:
What are the characteristics of a "true" friend? All of us may have been at one time or other confused as to just who our true friends are.
True Friends - For the Strength of Youth,Who is a True Friend - Ensign Apr 1990, The Aaronic Priesthood - Ensign Apr 1990
- A person who is there when you are in need
- Understand what others feel and empathy towards you
- A person is someone who loves you
- “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13.)
- Thy friends stand by thee - and support thee (D&C 121:9–10)
- The support us in becoming better than we are now, helping us to grow
Is your spouse your friend? Are your parents your friend? Is Jesus your friend? “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:14
Today we are going to talk about two men who were "True" friends to each other - David and Jonathan in comparison to the behavior of Saul in response to David.
Ministering - Friendship
As we discuss friendship today - I would like you to consider how this relates to the new program of "Ministering" that has replaced "Home Teaching" and "Visiting Teaching". Being a "Minister" is being a "Friend" to those to whom you Minister!!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ministering
The Savior showed by example what it means to minister as He served out of love for His Father and for each person (see John 15:9–10). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him, inviting all to follow Him (see Mark 8:34). As Church members minister, they prayerfully seek to serve as He would—to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” “watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them,” “visit the house of each member,” and help each become a true disciple of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 18:9; D&C 20:53, 51; see also John 13:35).
As members minister, they determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact they have with those to whom they give care. They counsel with and render an account to their leaders at least once a quarter regarding their service and the needs and strengths of those for whom they have been invited to care. Leaders report these ministering interviews each quarter; they no longer report the number of visits or contacts made to individuals and families. In addition, through a priesthood link to each member, ministering brothers and sisters form a communication network leaders may use in a time of danger or emergency.
Historical Review
Saul - the King (Feudal lord over a scattered unorganized people)
- Saul was chosen as a king of Israel by Samuel the Prophet through revelation. 1 Samuel 9: 16-17
- He is selected King but hides - desiring not to be selected 1 Samuel 10:21-24
- Saul gather's the people by threat (kill oxen) and fought Ammonites and won 1 Samuel 11:6-7,11
- He is established King of Israel 1 Samuel 11:15
- After two years -Saul establishes an army to protect Israel - 2,000 with Saul and 1,000 with Jonathan 1 Samuel 13:2
- Jonathan attacks the Philistines at Geba - causing a War 1 Samuel 13:3-4 (Saul hasn't done anything...)
- Philistines gather 30,000 chariots, and 6,000 horseman, and people as the sands of the sea! 1 Samuel 13:5
- Men of Israel fear, and hide themselves in caves and rocks and pits - instead of coming to war. 1 Samuel 13:6-7
- Saul fears the army of the Philistines and he has no army to fight with so - He disobeys and sacrifices. 1 Samuel 13:8-14
- Jonathan attacks the Philistines (2 against the garrison) while his father - does nothing 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (save by many or few)
- Earthquake occurs - confusion - army fights against itself Philistines defeated
- Saul is commanded to destroy the Amalekites
- He saves the king and the best herds to sacrifice - Blames people (21) - To obey is better than to sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22
- David is selected and anointed as king 1 Samuel 16:12-13
- Saul is troubled by depression and anxiety - he desires music to help him.
- David is called to live in Saul's house to play music for him 1 Samuel 16:16-18 (probably becomes friends with Jonathan...)
- David fights alone against Goliath - Let no man's heart fail I will kill this philistine 1 Samuel 17:32
- Saul - doubts David is but a youth - you will not succeed (youth rudy and fair countenance 1 Samuel 17:42)
- David Kills Goliath and is made a captain of Saul's army
- Where was Jonathan - notice he didn't fight Goliath...
- David is taken and lives in Saul's house
- David and Jonathan become eternal friends
What are the similarities between Jonathan and David?
- Both were men of faith - the lord will support us!
- Both were valiant and men of courage
- Both were very young
- Heir to the throne of Israel one through birth - one through appointment
How are these two young men different than Saul?
- Saul fears to even become king (he hides)
- Saul fears the arm of the flesh - outnumbered so doesn't wait
- Saul disobeys the prophet when explicitly commanded
- Saul doubts the Lord will help him
- Saul always has an excuse why he doesn't obey
Notice how the small choices in life affected the outcomes!
How can small choices we make dramatically affect the outcome of our lives? How can we protect ourselves from making small but impactfull mistakes?
The Friendship of Jonathan and David
1 Samuel 18:1-4 Jonathan and David make a covenant of friendship
- Jonathan so moved by the acts of David and he loves him as his own soul
- Removes his robe, removes his sword, removes his bow - gives them to David
- Acknowledges David as rightful king of Israel
Why would Jonathan have done such a thing? Perhaps Jonathan knew David was the anointed king - and the kingdom had been taken from his father?? we don't know but it's possible.
- David fights where Saul command
- he does well - and is praised above the king
- Saul was very wroth and displeased by the saying!
The Jealousy of Saul
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
“Saul became an enemy to David through pride. He was jealous because the crowds of Israelite women were singing that ‘Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’ (1 Samuel 18:7; see also 1 Samuel 18:6, 8).
“The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment. … ‘What will men think of me?’ weighs heavier than ‘What will God think of me?’ …
“Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. The proud love ‘the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (John 12:42–43). Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest. Jesus said He did ‘always those things’ that pleased God (John 8:29). Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?
“Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. …
“When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 5).
How can we let Jealousy affect our behavior? How can we protect ourselves from not doing so?
The Jealousy of Jonathan
What are some of the reasons why Jonathan could have been jealous of David?
- Saul had brought David in to live in their own house
- David was made captain over the armies of Saul (it used to be Jonathan)
- David was successful in defeating the Philistines wherever Saul sent him
- Jonathan may have known David had been anointed King by Samuel...?
Why do you think Jonathan wasn't Jealous of David?
How should we react as individuals around us receive blessings/capabilities, spiritual gifts etc. that we don't?
Saul tries to Kill David constantly and is afraid of him
1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul tries to kill David with a Javelin twice
1 Samuel 18:17 - Saul tries to kill David through the Philistines (Note David does this later to Uriah) He is promised Merab to wife. Yet Saul gave her to another.
1 Samuel 18:12,15,29 Saul is afraid of David and becomes his enemy continually
1 Samuel 19:10 Saul tries to kill David with a Javelin yet again - he flees to Michal
1 Samuel 19:11 Saul tries to kill David with servants - protected by Michal
1 Samuel 23:7-10 Saul tries to kill David again - bringing all the people against him - he will destroy a whole city to get him!!
1 Samuel 23:14 Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hands
1 Samuel 24:2-3 Saul seeks David yet again to kill him
What had changed so much that Saul would be so driven to kill David?
Why was he so consumed with the idea of killing David that he wasn't even fighting the true enemies of Israel?
When we commit sin and fail to repent, we lose the companionship of the spirit. When that happens, we allow unsavory influences to direct our life. So also was it with Saul. He was aflicted by a constant desire to kill, with uncontrolled anger and hatred driving his motivations. The spirit is no longer present to warn us of a tendency towards jealousy and hatred. As we have seen in the story of Saul, it can consume one's life with an overlying drive to get revenge, or hurt another.
Remember the history of Saul - and his transformation from one who "was little in his own sight" unto one who did whatever he wanted
- 13 I have done what the lord commanded me to do
- 14 What meaneth the bleating of sheep, and oxen?
- 15 The people have spared the best for sacrifice - (blames the people)
- 17 when thou was little in thine own sight - and not the head of Israel you were made king
- 19 you did not obey the voice of Lord - but did take spoil of Amalekites!
- 20-21 I have obeyed - it was the people who didn't...
- 22-23 To obey is better than to Sacrifice!
Notice how he blames the people for the disobedience - instead of accepting his responsibility for his own actions.
Notice how Samuel relates rebellion as witchcraft, and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry.
What can we learn from this about Saul? How can we do better than he did?
The story of Cain and Abel is another good example. Cain lost his eternal soul due to his jealousy and hatred.
- 18-21 Cain loved Satan more than God - obeyed Satan and made an offering - not accepted - he was very wroth
- 26 Can was wroth and listened no more to the voice of the Lord, nor Abel, or his brothers
- 29-34 Cain enters into Secret Covenant - and kills his brother - he "Glories" in what he had done - am I my brother's keeper?
Why do you think Cain used these words "am I my brother's keeper"? Are we our brother's keepers?
Why was anger one of the main emotions expressed by both of these individuals?
President George Q. Cannon: "Whence is it that anger comes? You will see a man all at once seized with a spirit of anger; another time you will see a person seized with a spirit of jealousy, or some other evil influence, infuriated sometimes, so much so that he or she is transformed. You have seen people's faces completely changed by the spirit that takes possession of them. They cannot see that power; but it is undoubtedly a spiritual entity. We may not be conscious of it, but it takes possession of us if we yield to it." (Collected Discourses, Vol 4, August 26, 1894)
President John Taylor: "...if we allow covetousness, pride, envy, jealousy, hatred, malice, lasciviousness, drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, or any other influence to corrupt and lead us astray from the light of truth and the sweet consoling influences of the Spirit of God, we shall get into darkness, and then, as I said before, if the light that is within us becomes darkness, how great is that darkness!" (JD, 26:133)
- Bear one another's burdens that they may be light
- Mourn with those that mourn - comfort those that stand in need of comfort
- Witness of God at all times and in all places even until death
What a great definition of a minister!
Jonathan's response to his father attempting to kill David
Jonathan Protects David
- Jonathan attempts to intervene 2-4
- Speaks to David first then talks to father 4-5
- David is brought back into the presence of Saul 6-7
- Feast of the New Moon David should be there 5-6
- If asked Jonathan to tell Saul he gave him leave to go to Bethlehem 7-8
- Feast begins David doesn't show up 24-25
- Saul asks where David is 28-29
- Saul very angry you will never have the kingdom as long as David lives! 30-31
- Jonathan What has he done? 32
- Saul tries to kill his own son 33
- Jonathan leaves the feast 34
Jonathan renews his covenant with David
Jonathan Comforts David - while his father seeks to kill him!
1 Samuel 23:16-18 Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David and strengthened his hand in God - thou shalt be king over Israel!!
How did Jonathan Minister to David?
Why is this such an impressive thing? David was actually a competitor for the throne and was going to become king instead of Jonathan!
What can we learn from the story of Jonathan, David and Saul?
This is an amazing story that contrasts the lives of Jonathan and Saul. Both of which were around a great man, David, and yet their responses to his greatness dramatically varied. Jonathan accepted God's will that David was to become the king of Israel. Although it was his by right of birth, he did not become jealous or angry or threatened because of David. Rather than do so this noble man supported and even covenanted with David to protect and help him gain the throne of Israel. In contrast his father Saul did everything in his power to go against the will of God, and kill David. Saul eventually destroyed his own life by becoming consumed with the destruction of his supposed enemy. We should follow the example of Jonathan, and not be consumed with anger, hatred, and jealousy but rather learn to accept the will of God and obey his commandments!
What things can we take from this story and apply to our own calling as "Ministers" and those who take upon themselves the idea of being their brothers keeper!
Remember the son's of Ammon and their friendship.
2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
I hope that we can "be our brothers keepers" look after each other, strengthen each other and be friends with each other. That we may together stay brethren in the Gospel and through the strengths of each of us maintain our testimonies in these perilous times.