road2answers

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A Wise Request

1 Kings 3[i]

David was king over Israel for years. At the end of forty years, David made his son Solomon king in his place. There were a few challenges to Solomon’s authority at the beginning, but he quickly overcame those challenges and was soon firmly established as king over all Israel.

This brings us to 1 Kings 3. Solomon is around 20 years old and he is king.

1 Kings 3 starts out:

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. (v. 1)

This is an interesting fact to begin this chapter with. Later on in Solomon’s life, this is going to play a very significant role. This verse gives us a glimpse of Solomon’s character as he starts out as a very young king. God had said, “The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 17:17) However, Solomon either did not know this or ignored it.

This world offers three things to draw our hearts away from the Lord. These are: 1) the lust of the flesh 2) the lust of the eyes and 3) the boastful pride of life. (1 John 2:16)

Solomon was raised in David’s household. David had many wives and concubines, and Solomon followed David’s example. Solomon eventually would have many more wives than David ever did. This behavior could be tied to the lust of the flesh, but because of the political aspect, it could also be tied to the boastful pride of life. Having many wives was what kings did, and the Lord warned against being like other kings.

As 1 Kings 3 continues to describe the foundations of Solomon’s reign, it says:

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. (v. 3, ESV)[ii]

With this verse, the Lord is giving us more background information. Solomon loved the Lord. However, the word “only” in the ESV text is pointing out an exception. He followed the statutes or ways of David, “except” on this one point.

Here again, let me take you to Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 12:1-14, God clearly instructs the Israelites on the location where they are to worship. There is much good instruction there, but let me just show you verses 13 and 14.

Take care that you do not offer your burnt offerings at any place that you see, but at the place that the LORD will choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I am commanding you. ESV

The first and greatest commandment according to the Lord Jesus is to love the Lord our God with our whole heart. Solomon loved the Lord God. However, as 1 Kings 3:3 tells us, his love of God was tainted with a little bit of self-will. 1 Kings 3:3 seems to imply that David did not worship at the high places. During the time of the judges, one of the problems that Israel repeatedly faced was that they did not entirely destroy the high places where the Canaanites who had been in the land before them had worshiped. As a result, they were often led astray and worshiped the gods of the Canaanites.

If the world has three things to offer to draw us away from God, our enemy appeals to our spiritual pride to get us to be unfaithful to the Lord. This is what Colossians 2:18 is talking about when it says, "Their sinful minds have made them proud." False spirituality appeals to our flesh. This is why Jesus said the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Not one of us is perfect in our worship, and Solomon is a case in point. If we had to be perfect before God would answer our prayers, our prayers would never be answered.

Solomon went to the most important high place in Israel. There he sacrificed 1000 burnt offerings.

The Lord is not impressed with the size of our offerings. Later on in the history of Israel, the Lord rebukes his people for offering meaningless sacrifices because their hearts were not right in their worship. Therefore, we can assume that what got God's attention was the fact that Solomon was seeking God.

1 Kings 3:5 says:

That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Solomon seems to have been seeking the Lord with a purpose. Being young and inexperienced, he quite possibly was overwhelmed with his new job. So, he said:

O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Kings 3:7-9)

This request pleased the Lord.

The Lord is pleased when we call on him for help. Psalm 50:15 says, “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." This and many passages like it encourage us to call on the name of the Lord.

What was particularly pleasing in Solomon's request was the fact that he asked for wisdom to judge God's people rightly rather than asking for anything for himself.

Solomon had a big job before him. His kingdom had enemies. He could have asked for security or strength to defeat his enemies. He could have asked for economic security for his country. However, at this point his main concern was for the people of God.

This is consistent with the second greatest commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Ephesians 6:18 says, "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (ESV) This and many texts like it tell us to pray for others. God is interested in our attitude toward others, and wants us to consider others as more important than ourselves. Solomon’s request demonstrates this selfless consideration of others.

God answered Solomon by giving him wisdom greater than any other person has ever had. He also gave him the riches and security he did not ask for.

God has not promised us that we will all be rich. However, he does say:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33)

The last part of chapter 3 of 1 Kings gives an illustration of how God made Solomon wise. It tells the story of two women both claiming one baby as their own. The women were arguing back and forth before the King, "The baby is mine." In an age where DNA tests were not possible, this seemed like an impossible problem. However, King Solomon called for a sword, and ordered that the baby be split in two and given to both women. The real mother said, "No don't kill the baby, let her have him."

Solomon’s ability to quickly discern the hearts and motives of these two mothers and resolve the issue demonstrated to the nation that they had a wise king who would rule with justice.

Throughout his life, Solomon was known for and sought for his great wisdom. Kings and queens from other nations traveled to Israel just to hear the wisdom of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:29-32 tells us of Solomon’s wisdom:

God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

Solomon with all his wisdom was not able to free himself from the sins of the flesh. Later in life, the multiple wives and the high places prove to be his downfall. However, with his wisdom, Solomon was able to sort through all that life has to offer and determine what really matters. He offered a conclusion. It is found in Ecclesiastes 12:13. He says:

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

This is similar to the command that Jesus gives:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33)

[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Sinful King - Merciful God

2 Samuel 11-12[i]

David was established as King of Israel.

It was the spring of the year. With the winter being over, armies could move about and wars resumed. By this time, David had been king over Israel for approximately 20 years. He had made treaties with many nations, and he had fought many wars.

At one point, David had been friends with the king of the Ammonites. 2 Samuel 10 tells us that when King Nahash of the Ammonites died, his son Hanun made himself David's enemy. As we enter into chapter 11 of 2 Samuel, David’s army is still at war with the Ammonites. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. We are not told why he did this, but I've heard lots of speculation. Nevertheless, he was king and had that right. He also had many responsibilities.

For our purposes here today, let's just say that David was firmly established as ruler and king. He had a general he could trust with the fighting. He had a palace, and he could afford to take an afternoon rest. David was not lazy. At least, we have no biblical evidence of him being lazy, and he was prosperous.

There is nothing wrong with prosperity. Furthermore, sometimes prosperity is a blessing from the Lord. A lack of prosperity does not mean the Lord is not blessing us. For many years, David lived as a fugitive without a home and yet during the whole time the Lord blessed him. Prosperity and poverty each have their own unique temptations. It is necessary for each of us to be aware of our own weaknesses and temptations.

The text tells us that as David was walking on the roof of his palace he looked out over the city and noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent a person to find out who she was. A literal translation of the answer he received is: "Is not this Bath-Sheba, daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite?"[ii] (2 Samuel 11:3, YLT)

The form of this answer reveals some interesting information.

David had 30 mighty men. Many of these men had been with him from his time in the wilderness fleeing from Saul. 2 Samuel 23:39 gives the name of Uriah the Hittite as one of David’s mighty men.

Being a foreigner, a Hittite, Uriah was a convert to Judaism.

2 Samuel 23:34 gives the name “Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh” as one of the mighty men. Eliam was one of David's elite warriors and the father of Bathsheba. About the time David was ascending to the throne, Eliam would have been celebrating the birth of his daughter Bathsheba. David might have even held and/or blessed the child.

What is more, Eliam was the son of Ahithophel.

From 2 Samuel 15:12, we learn that Ahithophel was one of David's counselors. As a matter of fact, later in chapter 16 we learn, “Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God.” (2 Samuel 16:23, ESV)[iii]

In other words, Ahithophel, Bathsheba's grandfather, was David's top advisor.

The “Is this not Bathsheba!” answer David received is probably based on a “You know her!” assumption.

This makes David's crime more heinous.

Uriah, who he killed, was a friend.

Bathsheba, who he seduced, was the daughter of a friend, and the granddaughter of a very close friend.

Every part of this crime was a gross misuse of the power of David's position.

2 Samuel 11:27 says, “But the LORD was displeased with what David had done.”

Then in 2 Samuel 12:9 it says, “Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed?”

Here then is God's conclusion, David despised the word of the Lord. The first word used to define "despise" is the word "contempt."

This is sin in all of its ugliness.

Murder, betrayal, thievery, it is all there, and from a godly man. Galatians 6:1 tells us, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” This should warn us that we are all capable of falling into any sin. We can condemn David and at the same time be blind to the sin that lies hidden in our own heart.

Our biggest fear quite possibly should be that we should ever despise the word of the Lord. In Jesus’ day, the most careful observers of the Law were the Pharisees. However, Jesus criticized them for their contempt for the word of the Lord. In Matthew 15:3 Jesus chastises the Pharisees for setting aside the law of God for their traditions. He says, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?" Then in the same talk, he quotes from the Old Testament and says this:

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God. (Matthew 15:8-9)

Do we despise the word of the Lord by what we allow in our lives?

As serious as David's sin was, God forgave him.

When Nathan the prophet confronted David, David immediately confessed and was repentant. Psalm 51 records David's repentance and confession. Therefore, God said to David:

“Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the LORD by doing this, your child will die.” (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

1 John 1:9 tells us, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

David is a good example of this. If we confess our sins, God forgives us.

However, we should consider the far-reaching consequences of David's sin. When Nathan the prophet confronted David he said, “From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own.” (2 Samuel 12:10)

Let me list a few of the things that happened in David's life as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba.

1. His son Amnon raped his half-sister, Tamar.

2. His son Absalom murdered Amnon for his rape of Tamar.

3. His son Absalom died in an unsuccessful attempt to take the throne.

At the death of his son Absalom, David wept saying, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” (2 Samuel 18:33) The pain of loss was so great that David wanted to die. David was forgiven, but God did not erase all the consequences. To be sure, God saved David from the worst of the consequences, but those He did not save David from were more than David could bear.

God warns us against sin for our own good. When Cain was contemplating the murder of his brother, God warned him that sin was crouching at his door desiring him. (Genesis 4:7) Along with this, we have the warning of 1 Peter 5:8, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (ESV) The consequences of sin are always worse than we imagine.

There are those who thought David should have died. However, having been forgiven, David’s death would have sent him to heaven and he would not have lived to suffer the consequences of his sin.

Consider the story of Ahithophel with me.

Ahithophel, as has been mentioned, was David's top advisor. He was also Bathsheba's grandfather. It appears from the story that Ahithophel never forgave David. Therefore, when Absalom rebelled against David and made his move to take the throne, Ahithophel joined Absalom as his advisor. His advice to Absalom was brutal and efficient.

It went like this:

Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. (2 Samuel 17:1-3)

Ahithophel wanted David dead. It was most likely because of what had happened with his granddaughter.

The Lord frustrated the advice of Ahithophel, and Absalom did not follow it. When this happened, Ahithophel knew that the battle was lost. The end of his story is told in 2 Samuel 17:23. “When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb.” This took place even before the battle started between David and Absalom’s forces.

Ahithophel was wronged. However, his failure to forgive and trust the justice of God destroyed him.

We have all been wronged at some point. Some of us have been wronged in particularly heinous ways. However, we must forgive and trust the justice of God. Jesus warns us, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Forgiveness does not mean reconciliation.

I do not believe that relationships can be restored without true repentance. God forgives our sins when we confess our sins. This would imply that if we don't confess or acknowledge our sins they go unforgiven, and we are not reconciled with God. If a person has sinned against you and done you harm, for your own sake you must forgive them based on the fact that God has forgiven you. However, this does not mean that you are reconciled with the offender. If the offender never repents, the relationship can never be whole.

This is why Jesus said, "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back." (Matthew 18:15)

I tend to think that this never happened between David and Ahithophel.

We all have sinned, and we can say with Lamentations 3:22, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (KJV)

However, we can learn many lessons from David’s mistakes.

1. Don’t despise the word of the Lord.

2. If caught in a sin, repent.

3. Seek and give forgiveness.

4. Seek reconciliation as much as possible.

[ii] Young's Literal Translation, http://biblehub.com/ylt/2_samuel/11.htm

[iii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Covenant God

2 Samuel 7[i]

David is one of the most famous kings that ever lived. From the slaying of Goliath to his sin with Bathsheba, David is well known.

The road to the throne for David was not easy.

For years, he lived as a fugitive, running from Saul, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. During this period of time, fugitives, bankrupts and those who had fallen on hard times gathered around David. He soon had an army of 600 men who followed him everywhere.

When Saul died, the people of David's tribe, Judah, crowned him king. However, the rest of Israel remained faithful to the house of Saul and crowned Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, king. This resulted in a civil war that lasted seven years.

When the civil war finally ended, David captured the city of Jerusalem and made it his capital. Then, after a period of time, David moved the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 7:1-2 says:

When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Apparently, David had time to build a palace. God had blessed him tremendously. He was settled in his palace. He had subdued the surrounding nations, and he was King over all of Israel.

David wanted to build a temple, a house, for the Lord. So he checked with the Lord to see if this would be all right.

The Lord said, “Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?” (2 Samuel 7:5)

It is part of our humanness to want to build something for the Lord. We also take pride in our achievements, and can be impressed with the work of our own hands. However, from God's perspective, this is all vanity. In Isaiah 66:1-2, God says:

This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

God told David that David was not the one to build God’s house. In explaining this, God points out two things. First, He points out that He had never requested or required a house. Second, He points out that He had made David great.

All the way down the long road to the throne, through all the years as a fugitive and through the years of civil war, the Lord had been with David and granted him the success he enjoyed. It was important that David realized this.

It is important for each of us to realize that all the good we enjoy comes from the Lord. A truth follows this. It is found in Psalm 127:1. It says, “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”

Some people try to clean up their lives for God. Other people hope to earn their way into God’s favor. Some people live to please themselves. However, all the effort, all the building and whoever we are trying to please is all meaningless unless it is the Lord who builds.

When David asked to build, the Lord said, “No, but let me tell you what I am going to do.” Then God laid out His plan.

The plan that God laid out is known as the Davidic Covenant.

When people trust God, God honors them. God gives His covenants in response to trust.

Noah trusted God. In simple trust, he built a huge boat and was saved from the flood. Then God gave Noah a promise, a covenant. We are reminded of this promise every time we see a rainbow.

Abraham trusted God. In simple trust, he left his homeland and traveled to a strange land and lived as a foreigner in tents for the rest of his life. God gave Abraham a promise. We know this promise as the Abrahamic Covenant. The promise involves the land and making Abraham a great nation. This covenant is why there is a nation called Israel even to this day.

God’s covenant with David was in response to David’s faith. It was not a result of anything David did, for example, like building a magnificent temple.

God is a covenant God, and His covenants are unilateral and based on trust or faith.

God promised three things to David. 1) a place, 2) a house and 3) an everlasting throne.

11) A place

2 Samuel 7:10, “And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past.”

22) A house

2 Samuel 7:11-13, “Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name.”

33) An everlasting inheritance

2 Samuel 7:15 “Your throne will be secure forever.”

David responded:

“Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, Sovereign LORD, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?” (2 Samuel 7:18-19)

In answer to the question, "Do you deal with everyone this way?" We can say yes. This is how God deals with people.

Jesus Christ was born a descendent of David. Luke 1: 33 says of Jesus, "And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to David. Much more than that, Jesus brings all the promises of God to anyone who will receive Him. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes.” (NASB)[ii]

God has promised us a place in Jesus Christ. John 14:2-3 says, "There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

God has promised us a house. Hebrews 12:23 says:

You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.

God has promised us an everlasting inheritance. Romans 8:16-17 says:

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

God is a covenant God.

He makes promises. His character never changes and His promises never fail.

This can be extremely good news or extremely bad news. Exodus 20 puts it in these terms:

I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. (Exodus 20:5-6)

John 3:36 says, “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The King and His Friend

1 Samuel 18:1-4[i]

God describes himself as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the creator of the universe and ruler over all. He is more than a King, but some of our relationship to him is best understood by the metaphor of a king.

He is also a covenant God. In other words, He makes promises, and He keeps His promises.

The character of God never changes. Therefore, His promises never fail.

We are created in the image of God.

We make promises, but our promises fail because of sin. Sin has marred the image of God in man. However, there are incidents recorded in history where human actions reflect the character of God. Today we are going to consider just such an incident in the life of David. In the relationship of David and Jonathan, we see reflected a glimpse of God's character. It is part of God’s character to make promises.

In 1 Samuel 17, we read the story of the young shepherd, David, killing the giant, Goliath. After David killed Goliath, he was taken immediately to meet the King. 1 Samuel 17:57-58 tells us:

As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.

And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”

I don't know how long David stood there talking with Saul, holding the Philistine’s head, but 1 Samuel 18:1 tells us, “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (ESV)[ii] This text suggests that there was an immediate bond between David and Jonathan.

The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David.

There was an immediate bond between these two men that lasted throughout the lifetime of David. Long after Jonathan was dead, David honored his friendship with Jonathan. David took Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, into his house, and gave Mephibosheth all of the property that had belonged to Saul.

1 Samuel 18:1 tells us that Jonathan loved David as his own soul.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (ESV)

When we love, we reflect the image and character of God. Jonathan’s selfless love for David is a good example of this.

There is not much negative recorded about Jonathan. He was an excellent soldier. He was not afraid to take on the entire Philistine army by himself. 1 Samuel 14 tells the story of Jonathan taking his armor bearer and challenging a Philistine outpost. At that time, He said, “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:7) Years later, Jonathan died a faithful son standing beside his father in battle.

The love that Jonathan showed to David is an example of the love that we are expected to show to our neighbors. It should be demonstrated in our families. This kind of love is what a father should demonstrate toward his children. This kind of love should be demonstrated by a husband toward his wife. This is the kind of love that Christ demonstrates toward the Church.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV) When the Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world . . .” It is referring to this demonstration of God's love, the giving of His own Son for our sakes.

In the relationship between David and Jonathan, Jonathan was the superior. He was the Prince. David was a shepherd. Jonathan was the King's son. David was the King's servant. Jonathan was heir to the throne. David was not heir to anything. There could not have been any apparent benefit for Jonathan in his relationship with David. And yet, the Scriptures tell us that their souls were knit together. I believe this was the Spirit of God at work. David showed his faith in being willing to face Goliath. Jonathan showed the same kind of faith in a different battle where he challenged the entire Philistine army and won. Their souls were knit together in the kinship of the love of God.

We also find ourselves knit together in the body of Christ by a common love for God, and a common salvation. As we have already noted, 1 John 4:8 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (ESV)

Although there is no apparent benefit for Jonathan, we can find reason for their souls being knit together. However, it is harder to understand why and how it is that God loves us. Why has God chosen to knit our souls to His? We are created in His image, but that image has been marred by sin. Our own choice has made us enemies of God. And yet, He calls us His friends when we put our trust in Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 18:3 tells us, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul." (ESV)

We have already noted that Jonathan was David's superior. It was his position and right to demand allegiance from David. And here, contrary to social custom and rank, Jonathan unilaterally makes a covenant with David. He swore an oath to David.

Another place we see such unilateral promises is when God reaches out to us. God unilaterally swore an oath to Abraham. God unilaterally gave His promise to David. And, God unilaterally gives His promises to you and to me.

We cannot earn it.

We do not deserve it.

However, the Bible says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, ESV)

What if David had refused Jonathan?

The Prince, the King's own son, was offering David his friendship. Why would David refuse? And yet, God offers His friendship to us and many refuse.

Let me make it clear to you how to enter into a personal friendship with God. He is offering it. It is a gift. Therefore, all anyone must do to receive it is accept it. God is not hard of hearing. As a matter of fact, He can hear your thoughts. So if you want to accept God's gift of friendship, just tell Him.

If a friend offers you a gift, what do you do when you receive it? You thank them! Should we not thank God for His tremendous gift? If you have told God you want to accept His gift, then it is time to start thanking Him for His gift.

Since His mercies are new every morning, it is a good idea to thank Him every morning.

1 Samuel 18:4 tells us, “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.” ESV

We have seen the selfless love of Jonathan toward David. We have seen his one-sided covenant, and now we see this selfless act.

To be given a piece of clothing the king or his son had worn was considered the highest honor possible. This custom continued so that at the time of Esther, Mordechai was honored by wearing the king’s robe. Before the time of David, Joseph was honored by being dressed in a royal robe. In Joseph’s case, there was additional authority given when Pharaoh gave Joseph Pharaoh’s signet ring, thereby giving Joseph the authority to sign Pharaoh’s name.

Jonathan did something even more drastic. He gave David his armor! This is certainly a symbol of brotherhood, but it can be a symbol of much more. For a sovereign to give up his armor without receiving the same in return is likely to be a symbol of giving up the throne. It is likely that Jonathan’s act recognized David as successor to Saul and thus Jonathan’s replacement as heir apparent. Throughout their relationship and subsequent events, it is clear that Jonathan recognized David was to be the next king and Jonathan was more than okay with that. He supported it.

Jonathan’s selfless devotion to David is nothing short of astounding. In the same way, God’s gracious treatment of us is amazing.

God has clothed us with Christ’s righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (ESV)

In addition, God promises to give us glory. Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Furthermore, God has given us Kingdom authority. Jesus told us that He was giving us the keys of the kingdom of heaven and that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and that whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

As if that is not enough, God has also given us a home in heaven, in His house. Jesus said that he was going to prepare a place for us that where he is there we may be also.

The person who trusts in Christ has been made a joint heir with Christ.

Being a Christian does not make you ruler of the universe, but it does mean the ruler of the universe is your friend, your close personal friend.

By giving us His Spirit, He gives us of Himself. We have the mind of Christ. This same Spirit is a seal of our inheritance, proof that our home and our citizenship are in heaven.

David became king because God unilaterally made a covenant with him. God makes promises and keeps them. The covenant between Jonathan and David lasted only as long as they lived.

God will live forever.

Therefore, He can make an everlasting covenant.

God is unilaterally offering you his friendship today. He will forgive all your offenses against Him, clothe you with His righteousness and make you His child and heir. God is able to do this because Jesus paid for it all. All you have to do is receive it.

[i]Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.