It may be pointed out that he used every opportunity to prepare himself for the work to which he was called. David and Jonathan 1 Sam. 18:1-4 In David and Jonathan we have one of the truly great friendships of all time. The unselfish nature of it, the persistence of it in spite of danger to both parties, is wholesome to contem plate. The two were nearly of one age. David was God’s choice to succeed Saul as king (16:12, 13). Jonathan doubtless knew about this. Jonathan, on the other hand, was the eldest son of the king, and might have shown a spirit of jealousy toward David. But there was none of this. Jonathan was impressed with David’s heroism, modesty, manly bearing and earnest piety. Since following David’s victory over Goliath, David was established as a permanent resident at the court, Jona than and David had opportunity for their friendship to ripen (w . 1, 2). At this time the two entered into a solemn covenant of friendship (v. 3). Such cov enants are frequent in the East. They are ratified by definite- ceremonies in the presence of witnesses to the effect that the persons concerned will be sworn brothers for life. Upon the occa sion before us, Jonathan gave as a sign of the covenant on his part “the robe that was upon him” (v. 4). To receive any part of the dress which had been worn by a sovereign or his eldest son and heir, is deemed, in the East, the highest honor which can be conferred on a subject (Esth. 6:8). Let no Christian forget that he has a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He has imparted unto us the robe of His spotless righteousness that assures us of a place in the Kingdom of God (2 Cor. 5:21). David and his Conduct 1 Sam. 18:5, 14-16 These words give a good account of David’s behavior. He walked as a true subject of the king and evidently he was pleasing to God for “ The Lord was with him” (v. 14). At this juncture he manifests himself truly as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). No won der “all Israel and Judah loved David” (v. 16). He had their best interests at heart and he looked to God for guid ance. But sooner or later such a man will find opposition. The devil will see to that. And so David quickly found that Saul “ was afraid of him” (v. 15). And beneath this fear there was a miser able envy and hatred toward the man of God’s choice. This is seen again and again from this point on in Saul’s attitude toward him. Let every Christian beware during those times when popularity and pros perity come in experience. Very likely at such a time the believer will find the Lord permitting opposition to arise for the purpose of testing the reality
is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” No one can rule himself in his own strength. Only as boys and girls receive God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Saviour, and ask Him to keep their hearts clean and pure and kind, can they rule their spirits and their tempers in His strength. August 24, 1952 THE MAKING OF A KING 1 Sam. 18:1-5; 14-16; 22:1, 2; 2 Sam. 5:l-5 Pointers on the Lesson The Scripture passages in this lesson deal with three periods of David’s rise from being a shepherd boy to becoming king over Israel and Judah. These pas sages give us an insight into the po litical situation and also an understand ing of David, who, because he was chosen of God, refused to force the is sue, but reverently waited on God’s will.
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