Saved by Friendship 1 Samuel 20 p. 266

Saul reigns for a while, is rejected by God David anointed by Samuel David’s life (1) Saul reigns for a while, is rejected by God David anointed by Samuel NOT a public event! David chosen as a musician David kills Goliath ==> Jonathan makes a covenant with David David promoted in the army, is successful Saul jealous and wants to kill David

Saul makes six attempts to kill David They are: David’s life (2) Saul makes six attempts to kill David They are: more and more intentional and calculated more and more open There is a crescendo of violence and hate David flees and goes to Samuel

Friendship: a spiritual discipline David leaves Samuel and goes to Jonathan This is startling! David needs more than a prophet ==> There are things God will never be able to tell us if he cannot use a friend Knowing truth is not enough David’s problem was not knowledge, but the pain of difficult circumstances

Friendship: a spiritual discipline This is where we all find ourselves “It’s not unusual for any of us to do things that are quite good. But it is unusual to continue and to persevere.” (E. Peterson) Jonathan was probably the most determining factor in David’s life

Friendship: a spiritual discipline Friendship is spiritual David was running the risk to abandon everything. He needed: Reassurance (v.13) Direction To be reminded of God’s promises

David does not understand Saul David is hated because of his goodness A clearer vision David does not understand Saul David is hated because of his goodness For a while, David sees only evil ==> evil blinds us Jonathan helps him see clearly again This demands honesty (v.2)

Recovering God’s perspective Jonathan puts the whole story in the perspective of God’s sovereignty (v.22-23) God’s promises are reaffirmed (v.17) God sends David away, not Saul! (v.22) God is affirmed as part of their relationship (v.23) This required faith, shared faith

Jonathan knows that David will be king Deep Transformation Jonathan knows that David will be king David told the natural heir about his anointing! This required openness, taking risks Jonathan is able to strengthen David in who he really is Does someone know who you are before God and affirms it?

Their friendship rendered evil powerless Deep Transformation Because David and Jonathan were together, they were not destroyed by evil Saul became weaker and weaker David became stronger and stronger David and Jonathan learned not to let evil shape them They learned not to repay evil by evil Their friendship rendered evil powerless

Friendship: a spiritual discipline Why are such friendship so rare? Friendship is more than being buddies Three things we might reconsider: Individualism Being successful by ourselves is not a sign of spiritual maturity but of pride

Friendship: a spiritual discipline Three things we might reconsider: Individualism Dividing between sacred and secular activities Knowing truth is not enough Putting activities before character What priority do you give to developing real friendships?