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FOOTPRINT OF FRIENDSHIP

LESSON COMPANION BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

1 SAMUEL 18:1-4

1Now when 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.2Saul took him that day, and would not let him

go home to his fathers house anymore.3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because

he loved him as his own soul.4And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to

David with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

18:1 The setting is immediately after David has killed Goliath. Saul is astounded, and he has beenspeaking to David to learn more about him. Jonathon has been there at his fathers (Sauls) side.

After the conversation with Saul, David and Jonathon begin speaking, and there is a strong

connection between them. Some try to point to this as a homosexual relationship, but it

certainly is not one. There was nothing homosexual about this relationship, but the strong

friendship between the two is so difficult for many that the only way for them to grasp it is to

think of them as sexual partners. Perhaps the problem is that many of us do not have such close

friendships.

The wording here is extremely strong the souls of these two friends being knit together. There

is also an emphasis on Jonathons love for David.

18:2 Saul is in a shortage of brave warriors (as evidenced by the lack of volunteers to fight Goliath in

the first place!), so he makes it clear that David will remain in his service. Perhaps this is part of

what forged the friendship between David and Jonathon in the first place Jonathon knew David

would be around the palace and in need of a good friend.

18:3-4 The two friends make a covenant with each other. What was the purpose of the covenant? It

was certainly a promise of loyalty. In this kindred bond, however, David must have felt the

freedom to tell Jonathon that Samuel had anointed him to be the next king over Israel. Jonathon

was the heir to the throne, but trusted David and wanted to honor God. His robe was a sign of

his royalty. In giving David the robe, he signified a willingness to allow David to be king instead of

him.

It is the second time that the text mentions Jonathon loving David as his own soul. Whenever

this is the case, a person wants the best for another, even if it means giving up possessions or

rights.

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1 SAMUEL 20:31-33

31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your

kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.32

And Jonathan

answered Saul his father, and said to him, Why should he be killed? What has he done?33

Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined byhis father to kill David.

20:31 Saul is giving Jonathon a tongue-lashing (and essentially cussed him out in the previous verse)

because Jonathon has remained loyal to David, even though it would eventually cost him the

throne. It is interesting that Saul in his anger can no longer say, David, but has to refer to him

as the son of Jesse. Knowing that Jonathon is protecting David, Saul demands that Jonathon

lure him out into the open.

20:32 Jonathon is not even phased by the potential loss of his throne, or his kingdom. He demands to

know what David has done deserving of death. Again, this shows Jonathons courage and love

for David above and beyond his own needs.

20:33 Sauls response is a result of both his anger and his inability to give alogical answer to Jonathons

question. Having no verbal recourse, he resorts to physical rage, hurling the spear at this son of

his whom he deems as good as dead if he will not do this simple thing to establish his future

place on the throne.

1 SAMUEL 20:4, 12-13

4So Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you

12Then

Jonathan said to David: The Lord God of Israel is witness! When I have sounded out my father

sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not

send to you and tell you, 13may the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my

father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety.

And the Lord be with you, as He has been with my father.

20:4 These verses all contain promises commitments that Jonathon makes to David. Jonathon lives

up to each and every one of them, remaining fully faithful to David. His first commitment is to do

whatever David asks of him, which is a big promise to make.

20:12 David and Jonathon have just worked out a plan of action, which is the result of Jonathons

commitment he makes to David (v. 4). God is invoked as a witness between the two of them,

which is no light comment. Jonathon is firmly promising David that he will live up to his end of

their agreement. Jonathon stands everything to lose and nothing to gain, but his love for hisfriend makes it all worth his effort.

20:13 Gods name is again invoked, with Jonathon asking for equal punishment from God if he were to

betray David. At the end of the verse, Jonathon mentions God one last time, asking for the

Lords presence to go with David.

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1 SAMUEL 20:41-42

41As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the

ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together,

but David more so.42

Then Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, since we have both sworn in

the name of the Lord, saying, May the Lord be between you and me, and between yourdescendants and my descendants, forever. So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went

into the city.

20:41 The love in Jonathon and Davids friendship was incredibly strong. David bowed three times to

express both his gratitude for and his respect of Jonathon. The kisses mentioned here are

cultural, much like the way some countries greet each other with a kiss on either cheek. The two

friends were willing to do anything for each other, but they wept because it was likely they would

never see each other again.

20:42 The covenant they made went beyond their own lives, but was designed to last through their

children forever. The love they had was the embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13, and it might be a

good idea to read that passage with these two in mind.

JOHN 5:12-13

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

13Greater love has

no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends.

5:12 Jesus Himself commanded His disciples (and the commandment is the same for us) to love each

other. Love, whether between man and woman or between friends, is treated very casually

today; but the love that Jesus commands is a faithful love, much like that of David and Jonathon.

5:13 The ultimate love expressed here is the same that both Jonathon and Jesus embodied. Jonathonloved David enough to lay down his kingship and future for him his life and security. Jesus is

the true ultimate example, since He willingly died in our places for our sins.