1. Jonathan A Lesson of Love Loving Others in their Otherness

2. 1 Samuel 16:13-14 (MSG) Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. At that very moment the Spirit of God left Saul and in its place a black mood sent by God settled on him. He was terrified.

3. 1 Samuel 17:55-58 (NIV) As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is that young man?" Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know." The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."

4. 1 Samuel 17:55-58 (NIV) As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head. "Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him. David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."

5. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house.

6. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV) And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 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.

7. 1 Samuel 18:5-7 (NIV) 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. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine,

8. 1 Samuel 18:5-7 (NIV) 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. As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."

9. 1 Samuel 19:1-2a (NIV) Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him,

10. 1 Samuel 19:9-10 (NIV) But an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

11. 1 Samuel 20:1 (NIV) Then David fled and went to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?"

12. 1 Samuel 20:4 (NIV) Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."

13. 1 Samuel 20:41-42 (NIV) David bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together — but David wept the most. Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord,

14. 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (NLT) Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah.

15. The Lesson on Love Make a No Strings Attached Covenant

16. Gordon MacDonald A Resilient Life “The older we get, the more we come to understand the inestimable value of the “happy few,” that inner circle of intimate friends who will always be there long after the lights of the fast and glamorous life have been extinguished. The “happy few” may be the most important treasure one will ever possess this side of heaven.”

17. The Lesson on Love Make a No Strings Attached Covenant Be an Advocate Help Them See God’s Good Purpose for Their Life Be Willing to Sacrifice Your Rights to See Them Succeed

18. Jonathan A Lesson of Love Loving Others in their Otherness