Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
1 Samuel 18:1-5 (NIV)
Saul’s Growing Fear of David
18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
1 Samuel 20:12-17 (NIV)
12 Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? 13 But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 14 But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, 15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” 17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him because he loved him as he loved himself.
True Friends—Find at least one trait in each passage that describes a true friend.
There are times when I just don’t know who to trust. People in this world don’t seem to care how they hurt other people as long as they accomplish their personal desires. It is sad because I am always on guard to being cheated, hacked, lied to, toor scammed in some way or the other even from people I know. Thank You Lord, that You have placed true friends in my life. Jonathan and David were examples of true friends. They trusted each other with their very lives. True friends show unfailing kindness, they are non-judgmental, they delight spending time with me, they are concerned for my well being, they listen to my complaints, they comfort me when I’m hurting and love me even when I’m wrong. Thank You Lord, for doing all those things and for loving me with so much that You died for me. Thank You for being my best true friend. Amen