1. Saved by Friendship
1 Samuel 20
p. 266

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?