1 Samuel 18:1-16 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Samuel 18:1-16. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
1 Samuel 18:1-2 (NIV)
1 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 to his father’s house.
On verses 1-2: It is not surprising that Jonathan and David got along so well and became “one in spirit” with one another. Both of them were young, courageous leaders who had led Israel to military victories against incredible odds. More importantly, they were men who loved God and had a can do attitude fueled by their faith.
1 Samuel 18:3-4 (NIV)
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.
On verses 3-4: When Jonathan takes off his princely robe, his tunic, his sword, his bow and his belt and gives them all to David, this was Jonathan demonstrating his commitment to be David’s supporter and ally. This humility is incredible considering that Jonathan was the natural heir to Saul’s throne. If Jonathan was prideful and self-centered, Jonathan could have been David’s greatest competition. Instead, because Jonathan was humble and God-centered, he became David’s greatest friend. He truly loved David “as he loved himself” (v1, 3).
What Jonathan did for David is a picture of what Jesus did for us. As the Son of the King, Jesus stripped Himself of all His princely privileges so that we could become heirs of His Father’s kingdom (Romans 8:17). Jesus took off His robe of righteousness and gave it to us to wear. All the weapons in Jesus’ possession– the word of God, the Holy Spirit – Jesus gave to us. Jesus humbled Himself so that we could be exalted. Jesus loved us as He loved Himself. Jesus is your perfect Jonathan.
1 Samuel 18:5 (NIV)
5 Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.
On verse 5: David enters Saul’s service once again. Whatever David was given to do, David did successfully (or “wisely”) (v5, 14). In so doing, he gained the favour of all the people (v5, 16) and was promoted to a high rank in Saul’s army (v5, 13).
What can we learn from this? Like David, have a can do attitude. Make it your goal that whenever anyone gives you an assignment, do it to the best of your ability, as wisely and successfully as you can, for God’s glory. God loves to promote people who consistently choose a can do attitude.
1 Samuel 18:6-11 (NIV)
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes.
7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand
11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
On verses 6-9: Because Saul was insecure, he saw David as a threat instead of a teammate. The fact that an evil spirit entered Saul the day after he began to be jealous of David tells us something: when you harbour jealousy toward another, you give room for Satan to work in your life. Saul’s two attempts to kill David (v10-11) show us that jealousy can kill your relationships, your reputation and your ability to think clearly.
1 Samuel 18:12-16 (NIV)
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.
13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.
15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.
16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
On verses 12 to 16: Not only was Saul jealous of David, but Saul was also afraid of David. Jealousy and fear often go hand in hand. When I’m jealous of you, I’m afraid that you’re going to take something that I think belongs to me. I pray that jealousy and fear would have no hold over you.
Lord Jesus, I pray that jealousy and fear would have no hold over me. Rather than worrying about what others are doing or receiving, may I, like David, have a can do attitude. Toward every opportunity I am given, may I simply focus on giving my best to You. Thank You for being the perfect Jonathan in my life, the One who humbled Himself so that I could be exalted. May I in turn exalt You with my life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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