And before we read, let's pray, one more time as we as we come
before God in his word. Lord, we believe that you are
real. You are true.
You are alive. You are approachable as we sang.
That veil has been torn in two. Not only for us to enter into
the holy of holies before your presence to now dwell in us.
And so we thank you that we are now your Abode.
We are now your dwelling place and Lord as you are as you were
concerned about the structure of the Tabernacle with every inch
of it. Every qubit Material every
layer. So you are concerned with every
detail of Our Lives. You long for every part of who
we are to reflect your glory your moral Majesty.
We pray that as we expound the word as our dear brother and
pastor had earlier shared enrollments, these things have
been given to us for our encouragement.
We come to the word to be encouraged and built up into.
Christlikeness sanctify us unto Christ and Jesus Name we pray,
amen. Notice that dark chapter studies
in this book are so lengthy. That we have two parts in one
chapter three parts in one chapter and that is the case
with this one. But that is the beauty of this
Bible study. It's just for us to extract as
much truth from every verse that we can.
And even then sometimes, if not, every time I leave a Bible,
study said there's so much more yet to be discovered.
There's so much more yet to look yet for us to learn and Is
certainly true in this chapter but we will do our best by God's
grace you. And I up to this point,
especially in this chapter. I've learned so much through the
friendship between Jonathan and David.
It's amazing. The attention that the Bible
gives between these two men and it's important for us to take
our time to study their interaction, the Covenant that
they had made with one another because you're about to find out
that this is the last time we're going to see a lengthy
interaction between David and John.
Nathan, there's going to be one more time and then we're never
going to hear of Jonathan again. And one of the things that we
learned about Jonathan was that he was indeed a man who stood
for the truth, you've heard that in more than one occasion that
Jonathan was somebody who paid the price to defend and to be on
the side of righteousness. And that was the opportunity
that presented itself to him with David and his father.
He was willing to stand by David because he was willing to stand
by the truth even though it cause great discomfort in his
life especially with the Dynamics of his relationship
with his own dad with his own father and Jonathan's decision
to stand by David was not motivated by political ambition
was not motivated to satisfy some kind of selfish desire.
Again, it was propelled by a desire to stand for what God
would stand for, and he wanted to stand with David because he
wanted to stand with his Lord. And if we're not convinced that
that truth, then verse 16 will seal the matter for for
certainty and verse 16, we read after David and Jonathan are
going back and forth of David trying to convince his best
friend that his dad is actually trying to assassinate him.
Your dad is actually trying to get at me.
He's trying to eradicate me from the face of the Earth and
Jonathan's willing to believe it, but it's hard for him to
believe it because he saw his father repent He saw his dad
make a vow that he would never do such a thing and so they are
ready to make a plan to expose Saul and they just made a
covenant again to re-establish their relationship and not just
for their life, but for their descendants and the life's to
come. We read here in verse 16 and
Jonathan made a covenant. With the House of David saying,
may the Lord take Vengeance on David's enemies and Jonathan
made David swear Again by his love for him.
For he loved them as he loved his own soul.
This was a man who stood for truth.
How do we know that? Well, number one, he invokes the
name of the Lord, he appeals to God this issue between David and
Saul was not just a mere disagreement that it was not
just neutral from from spirituality.
Now, if very much involved God, there was right, there is wrong,
there is obedience, there is, this will be nice, there is
righteousness, there is wickedness and David did not
side with anybody for any other reason.
Other than God is the One, who determines?
Who is true? And God is the one because he
will judge between right and wrong.
He will decide the Fate between these two men and Jonathan was
fully aware of that. He was fully aware that God will
intervene in this. And if God is going to intervene
in this, then I want to be on his good side.
I want to be in his favor. I want to be blessed by God, I
don't want to stand against God and so I'm going to side with
you because it is clear that you are on God's side.
But notice he goes even further than that.
He says may the Lord take Vengeance on David's enemies Why
is that significant? Can somebody tell me why that's
significant. Yeah.
Saw his own dad is in the category of being David's enemy.
And so, he's so willing to stand for truth, even if he is having
to see his own, father on the side of being disciplined and
judged by God, he is so unbiased in this moment that he realizes
that even though his own father would stand against God, he is
willing to be on God's side and That is the same allegiance that
Jesus calls his disciples to. It is the same standard that we
would have to hate our fathers, and hate our mothers, and our
brothers, and our sisters, our wives, even our own children,
and the Bible doesn't use that word hate the same way that you
and I would understand it. Yes.
In some contexts, but in that context, he's not saying you
have to despise them or be hostile towards him, you know,
this very well. What he's saying is that your
allegiance to Christ should be so intense, so devoted that
would make Every other relationship of yours look like
hate and comparison. Jonathan here is a man of Truth.
And so he's willing to say even if my dad is an enemy to God,
He's worthy to be judged. He deserves to be judged.
So don't tell me that Jonathan doesn't love truth, the man
loves the truth. And as I read this, you and I
learned something, something very important with this concept
of Revenge. Have you ever noticed how much
attention is given to this concept of Retribution or taking
Revenge? It's from cover to cover the
Holy Spirit as sprinkle that all over whether by way of command
or instruction or by way of example as presented before us
tonight. It is incredible.
How much of the Bible instructs the people of God of how to
manage this temptation to take revenge?
Have you ever wondered why? It's because God, in his wisdom
knows that the people of God will have to endure, great
personal offenses. It will be a frequent
occurrence, you will know it and it will intensify as you grow
and faithfulness to Christ. And because that pain will be
common. So will the temptation to take
matters into your own hands in order to retaliate and satisfy
that burning sensation? That?
If you've done me wrong, you're going to get it right back.
If not you're going to get it worse.
And it's incredible because I was reading Romans this week and
the verse that you heard in the reading came to me, but I saw it
in a way that I never realized before I saw it, and it made me
consider the absolute seriousness of us obeying that
instruction. That seems so strange.
I seem so foreign but it's so real.
It's so real. When you walk in godliness, you
will be persecuted. And the verse is this and Romans
12:19. Vengeance is mine.
Says the Lord. I will repay.
I will repay in the thing that stood out to me.
Was that phrase? Vengeance is mine.
And I thought to myself God is making an exclusive claim there.
He is saying this thing of Vengeance of Revenge that
belongs exclusively to me. That doesn't belong to you.
Now, if it belongs to God, if it's his rightful possession, if
it's his prerogative. Then what do we do?
If we attempt to take Vengeance into our own hands?
What's the equation? If it belongs to God and I try
to take it from God and make it mine?
What is that called in the Bible?
Yeah, it's called stealing. That's theft.
Here's what I understood from this that taking revenge is not
just wrong in itself, because it's ungodly and uncalled.
For taking revenge is vile because I'm stealing.
I am robbing god of what solely belongs to him.
I want you to never forget that. The next time you are tempted to
take revenge with your words with your actions, even in your
thoughts, even in your meditations to realize.
This is thievery. Because God says vengeance.
Is mine? It belongs solely to me, you
have no right to entertain it. You have no right to execute it.
And if we do give in to that Temptation, not only are we
doing wrong to somebody else? We are actually stealing from
God himself. May the Lord take Vengeance on
David's enemies and the Jonathan reassures him of the Covenant
and he wants to be reassured of David's love.
Then Jonathan comes up with a plan.
Jonathan is in agreement with David and he wants to provide an
answer to this mystery. At least a mystery to him about
his, his father's attitude, toward David Verse 18.
Then Jonathan said to him. Tomorrow is the new moon.
And you will be missed because your seat will be empty.
On the third day, go down quickly to the place where you
hate yourself when the matter was was in hand and remain
beside the stone Heap. And I will shoot, three arrows
to the side of it as though I had shot out of Mark and behold.
I will send the boy saying, go find the arrows.
If I say to the boy. Look, the arrows aren't in the
side of you take them then you are to come for as the Lord
lives. It is safe for you and there is
no danger. But if I say to A youth.
Look, the arrows are Beyond you, then go for the Lord has sent
you away. And as for the matter of which
you and I have spoken, behold the Lord is between you and me
forever. So David had presented Jonathan,
a plan. Listen, we got to find out.
You need to know this for yourself.
You might not believe me, but I believe it's so real.
In your dad's hard that it will be revealed.
So go and tell your dad that I couldn't make it to the feast
the new moon feast and just watch his reaction.
Watch Jonathan, I'm telling you. If you just look at how he's
going to respond to my absence, you'll have all the evidence
that is required Johnson's. Fine, fine, fine, fine.
But we got to be smarter about this.
So this is what we're going to do.
I'm going to give you an answer to what I discovered but it's
going to be in Disguise. It's not going to be obvious.
And the reason why I believe he's saying this is because
perhaps his father's even spying on Jonathan.
Perhaps he fears that even saw has sent men to see where
Jonathan is to know where the whereabouts of David is.
And so he wants to protect that. He doesn't want to expose David
so obviously. And so he comes up with this
idea that I'm going to shoot arrows and depending on where
they land will determine what your destiny is.
And it's so incredible. And in these verses there's an
interesting phrase that proves to me the depths of the
knowledge that Jonathan has concerning his God and our God.
And here's what he says, it's an interesting phrase.
He says, if and verse 21 I will send the boys saying, go find
the arrows if I say to the boy. Look, the arrows are on the side
of you take them. Then you're to come forth as the
Lord lives. It is safe for you.
There is no danger. But if I say to the youth look
the arrows are Beyond you then go look at this for the Lord has
sent you away. The Lord has sent you a David.
You know what, I take out of that.
I'm sure you see it now. Maybe you've seen it before.
This is a man who believed that, although Saul might be the
reason for David's departure. God was really the cause
Sovereign over your life. Your God is.
And as much as salt is King and he has Authority, and he can
push you around and he can drive you Into the Wilderness.
God is the one who's actually sending you.
And believer tonight, you have to understand that this is the
great confidence for the Christian who is Walking rightly
with God. That even though you are facing
the Injustice of men, even though you are in a place where
all the odds are against you, God is the one coming back as a.
This is God. if you have to go, it's God.
And I wonder if we have the same understanding of God, Especially
when we are experiencing. What?
David might be experiencing? Do I really believe that God is
the one who's taking it away from me.
Do I really believe that is God? Who's stopping me?
Do I really believe? It's God, is closing the door?
Do I really believe that it is God.
Who is determining every step that I take whether I'm aware of
his Supernatural intervention or not. if you don't believe that
you will know much more weight to those seasons, That are
burdensome, you will know much more heaviness, that can be
lightened by a simple understanding that.
It's the Lord who sends you. I believe if Christians
understood that they would need a lot less counseling sessions.
I believe that there'd be a lot less tears being shed to be lot
less sleepless nights to be a lot less questions and doubts.
If I really believe that God is providential over my existence
Then bring ten Saul's in my life.
God is going to control each of them.
And he's going to use them for my sanctification and for his
glory. But look at David's example.
He says on the third day in verse 19 go down quickly, what
does that mean about David? What does he have to do?
What does David have to do while Jonathan seeks an answer.
Wait, something that we're not good at.
Wait. David has to now put everything
on pause and there's nothing like waiting.
When the decision that's going to be revealed is going to
determine the rest of your life. This isn't waiting, whether he's
going to get accepted to Seminary, though.
That might be stressful. No, no.
This is waiting for. What is my future going to look
like in every sphere and every aspect?
Where am I going to live? What's going to happen to my
family? My wife, how am I?
How am I going to? Am I ever going to worship at
the temple again? Am I ever going to be able to go
back to Bethlehem? That's the kind of waiting so
three days as much as we think it's from Friday to Sunday or
Monday morning. Three days for David, Shirley
would feel like three years. Three years.
It would feel like an eternity especially when David didn't
have the luxury to stay in the Royal Suite with his wife
because you come here and verse 24 and you realize where he's
waiting. So David hid himself in the
field, that's where he's waiting for three days and some forest
and some desert land, our Rock, became his pillow for three
nights. And he would wait wondering
wonder if he prayed during that time.
Sure, he did. And I look at this and I can't
help but smile, you know why? I can smile because I see that
God is willing to make his most faithful and devoted servants.
Wait. And not just wait for an answer,
but be uncomfortable while you're waiting.
This is why you and I are studying the Old Testament.
We're not studying the Old Testament.
Merely to find theology, or to see the lineage of how the
Messiah came through the nation of Israel, or to see Prophecies
of Christ. Although we study all things in
light of looking for Christ, but we just heard it earlier, I can
come to the Old Testament, simply to be encouraged.
This is why we're getting familiar with God's ways because
life is real life isn't just sermons.
Life isn't just going to conferences, life is real,
there's actual episodes that happened there they're
suffering. There's there's things that we
need to do that are that are very Earthly and real and
because of that, we need to come and see.
Oh look, God, actually makes his servants weight and sometimes if
not all times. The waiting is not comfortable.
It is willing to do it for the man who would become the next
king of Israel would be the example, for all Kings of what
to emulate. And surely he's going to make me
wait. Surely, I can't comment.
Huff and puff. It God doesn't answer my
prayers. The night, I pray them.
Surely if I feel fidgety and surely.
If I don't like the fact that I've been in the season for a
while, whether it's singleness or jobless or whatever it is,
surely it's not because God doesn't love me.
He made David wait. so God's silence and no matter is a sign
of his displeasure with us. David would wait.
And we read in verse 24. he hit himself in the field and when
the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food The king sat on
his seat. As that other times on the seat,
by the wall wonder why he stopped by the wall.
Probably to protect himself from David.
He sat by the wall, Jonathan sat opposite and Abner Sat by saw
side but David's place was empty.
And you can imagine the suspense of reading this, right?
This is the moment that we've been waiting for.
This is now going to reveal. If Saul is going to expose
himself to Jonathan, if Jonathan's going to be
confirmed, if he's going to feel as though he is.
Now totally convinced that what David was saying is true.
This is it but before we come to the revelation of Saul's heart,
there's so many things leading up to it.
That has so much benefit to us. This is some type of feast that
is obviously religious. It's a new moon feast.
And the reason why we know that it is religious in nature
because in verse 26, we read it yet.
Saul did not say anything that day for a thought.
Something has happened to him. He is not clean, surely, he is
not clean. And so we know in the Old
Testament. We know, especially in Leviticus
that if there was something that you've done, whether you touch
that Body or there is relations between you and your spouse.
You would be considered unclean and oftentimes it would be just
for a day. You'd be disqualified from
participating in certain religious feasts, and festivals
and observances. And so, in Saul's mind, he's
thinking David much must have to a funeral or something.
And so that's why he's not here. So we know that this is a
spiritually motivated Feast, right?
So what does that say about Saul?
If this new moon thing is is an observance to somewhat recognize
God and celebrate God. What does that reveal about
Saul? Well, he's in attendance.
He's sitting there not just that he's actually participating.
He's eating. Guess what does it mean a thing
about his spirituality? Guys are hypocrite.
The guy's a hypocrite. You know what I read here?
I read that you can have people attend a worship service, sing,
pray, serve and be just like solve filled with jealousy, and
envy and murderous rage. Think about this, this man is
sitting at the table. He's there.
Maybe he's even saying some things we don't know, it's not
recorded, he's certainly participating in the meal and I
read here that just because once presence in a religious setting,
Does not indicate that the presence of Christ is ruling in
their hearts. And Saul again is not just
present, he's actually involved nevertheless.
It adds no validity to his spiritual condition This
scenario is no different today you know a very well.
I'm sure. and the longer you stay in church, the more you
realize that there are a lot of people like Saul That is just
there there and there, there may be even frequently present, they
observe all things, but inside they're dead inside.
They're filled with vices they're filled with creepy
things, they're filled with cobwebs and lifelessness So what
does it mean to be present in a religious gathering?
Just like this tonight very little Very little.
Fact, I was thinking about Judas, I don't know why Judas
has been on my mind. For these past few weeks, and
the thing that keeps ringing, in my mind that keeps replaying was
like this man served in the greatest Ministry, known to
mankind. And this man could claim a close
proximity to Christ unlike any other and yet he was still damp
to hell. He was still, he's in Hell, the
guys in hell and he saw not just saw Miracles, he performed
miracles. We're going to be shocked at the
judgement seat of Christ. I'm telling you, we are going to
be shocked. He was there.
He was there and at the same religious gathering.
He's about to assign, try to assassinate his own son.
It's incredible. It's like mind-boggling. but on
the second day in verse 27, but on the second day, the day after
the new moon, David's place was empty.
And Saul said to Jonathan his son, why has not the son of
Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today, either
yesterday or today. So one day passed by and he
could justify it one day passed by and he even went to a law to
try to make sense of it. David isn't here.
I mean, think about this, you actually are expecting the
presence of David after you try to kill him more than Like how
delusional can you be, but that's what Pride does it makes
you the center of the universe? And so this man thinks where's
David? Now, the second I, he's supposed
to be on the clear, he supposed to be cleansed, he's supposed to
be at this Feast, he supposed to be here at this table, David
doesn't show up. There is no excuse and Saul's
mind and so now he interrogates Jonathan and he asked him, hey,
where was yesterday and where is he today?
Have you noticed the wording of his question though.
What stands out when he talks to Jonathan what stands out about
his question. Anybody see it?
He doesn't say David. Why has not the son of Jesse
come to the meal? Who?
This guy is just getting worse and worse and worse.
You know what's happening. His jealousy has reached such a
feverish pitch that he could not even mention, David's name.
This guy was so eaten up by Envy that he could not even utter
David's identity, and instead refers him to the son of Jesse
now, we think that's far-fetched, but that is one of
the strongest marks of stage for envy and Stage for
unforgiveness. Here's how it could be real in
our lives today. You can be in a group and
somebody mentions the name of somebody that you either have
bitterness towards and Mention of their name.
Can erupt volcanic emotions. Volcanic emotions.
Just A Rush of anger just a rush.
Of bitterness. And so this man is he's headed
towards trouble and now, it's manifesting, it's so clear, it's
so obvious. He can't even refer to him by
his name. And it's not just because he's
jealous, not just because he can't stand David, it's because
he's in a sense belittling him. He's almost saying who is Or
where is the son of a nobody? He's not connected to the Royal
Line. He doesn't even want to
entertain that thought. Where is nobody?
That's what he's trying to say. And Jonathan and this moment,
probably I wonder how he respond.
I wonder what that look on his face was because at this point I
wasn't enough to know whether or not saw was bent on killing
David. So he takes advantage of this
moment. He seizes the opportunity and he
presents what him and David had planned?
He presents the scenario. He releases the bait.
To see how is Saul going to respond.
And this is a reminder that David convinced a Godly Man to
not tell the truth. David you didn't have to come up
with a lie to expose, Saul Saul had enough evil in his heart to
expose himself, but he does go with it and he gets the desired
goal, but just a simple reminder that.
Just because something is achieved through.
The means of sin. Doesn't justify the sin.
Jonathan verse 28 answered Saul David.
Earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
He said, let me go for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city,
and my brother has commanded me to be there.
So now, if I found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my
brother's. For this reason, he is not come
to the Kings Table. So, the bait has been cast.
It's there before, Saul. And I am very, very, very
confident that Jonathan was not expecting what was about to
shoot out of his dad's mouth. Verse 30 then Saul's anger was
kindled against Jonathan and he said to him you son of a
perverse rebellious woman. Do I not know that you have
chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of
your mother's nakedness for as long as the son of Jesse?
There it is again. Can't say his name lives on the
earth. Neither you nor your kingdom
shall be established there for And and bring him to me for he
shall surely die. And I can just imagine the forks
dropping the music cutting off. The food stop being chewed in
people's mouths. As Saul erupts.
At a religious gathering. What do you take out of these
answers? There's so much, there's so much
in Saul's where the reveals Many things about his heart and many
things about the power of sin. Any observations from this?
Yes. Yeah.
Very great observation. This, this, this emotional
thing, this thing of jealousy who knew how far it would go,
it's not just now between him and David, it's affecting his
son. He's now insulting his own wife
publicly He's dishonoring his own wife at a religious
gathering with deplorable words. Who would have thought that
someone's personal hidden sin would have such extensive
consequences? Yes, great observation.
Anything else? He saw right through so that I
didn't really help anyway. The Leyden even helped anyway
because Saul Reddit for what it was.
Yes absolutely. Anything else.
Sure, sure. So now, he's really emphasizing
the threat that David carries as as, obviously God's anointed one
and he is trying to hammer that in his son's head, which is
amazing because it doesn't move Jonathan at all.
Yes. Right.
Absolutely. So he's really now becoming
Reckless and it's becoming very dangerous and his behavior.
Yes. He forced them to distance
himself from both David and his son.
Yes. So now that's a great
observation. Now, he's now he's cutting off
all ties because sin erodes, it it eats up anything that's good
in life. And he that is Holy and precious
that, that God would consider a gift.
Sin has has no limit and destroying these things.
And, and when I read this about how he refers to Jonathan, he
says, you son of a perverse and Rebellion rebellious woman, the
irony If he's the son of anything, he's a son of a
perverse and rebellious man. And and look at this.
He insults Jonathan's mother. That's your wife, brother.
That's your wife. I read that I thought maybe this
is an indication that things were not really good in Saul's
marriage. Maybe this is an indication that
things weren't even good between his own wife.
So he had no problem just smearing her.
And just using her as a means to injure his own son and even harm
her her name and her reputation front of all these people think
about this, this man is destroying absolutely everything
in his life and he's just digging himself deeper into
this. And I look at I look at
Jonathan. And I hear this insult, and it's
even more than just insulting, his wife, insulting his mother,
you know what he's trying to say here.
What is he saying by saying you son of a perverse and
rebellious? When what is he trying to
essentially say? You're not my son.
You're not mine. You must be your mom must have
got with another guy and had you Because he's calling his mama,
harlot. Perverse and rebellious woman
who's your dad? Because my son wouldn't betray
me. Like how you're betraying me do
you feel the weight of it now You know, I've sat with people
not in this setting, but in different places who have still
felt the wounds people who have been physically abused by their
parents and they've told me the physical physical abuse, meant
nothing in comparison to being told you're no longer my
daughter. This is painful.
Let's let's let's feel this. It's not just read as a comment.
Let's read. Let's feel it.
You're not my son. Because my son wouldn't do what
you're doing, Jonathan. You're going to stand for this,
son of Jesse against your own dad.
Your mom must have slept somebody and brought you into
the world. Are we ready to be disowned for
our faith? Because this is, this is the
principal. Jonathan is going to come to a
Crossroads, it he's already set up, he's already made up his
mind, but he's going to come to a Crossroads where he's going to
really, have to make a decision now, because his relationship
with his dad is hanging by a thread.
It's hanging by a thread. All for what, for one simple
reason he's standing for the truth.
And is that is challenging him and and notice he calls them
rebellious. What's so confusing about that?
Who's really the rebellious one? A comparison between Saul and
Jonathan. I think we know the answer to
that but sin has a way of warping our judgment.
Pride has a way of blinding us and and, and it's all was so
blinded to his own sin and his own character flaw and his own
Disobedience that he was, he was with, apparently a clear
conscience. Able to label the one who's
actually standing for truth as a rebel, your the rebel, And so
here's another principle are you willing?
Are you ready to be labeled as evil for standing for the truth?
Because that's what he's enduring now.
You could feel the heat of this moment.
Now, here's a man who's essentially saying are you my
son or not? Who's being called a rebel?
And that was just, it was more than just a common.
He's saying, are you a rebel to this Kingdom?
Are you part of, are you part of the plan to overthrow me?
And Jonathan and this moment has to make a decision.
And he does make a decision in verse 32.
Then Jonathan answered Sol his father.
Why should he be put to death? What has he done?
He crossed the line. That's it.
He made his choice right there. And up to this point, as
difficult, as it was, to make a decision to stand by David.
This was this was the, the crossroads And God will find
ways to test our faith. When we have to stand for truth.
When it comes with a price tag, may God give us a boldness and a
courage to stand for Christ. When there's a price attached to
it. And what's amazing here in verse
31, for as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth,
neither you nor your kingdom shall be established.
So he's, he's trying to express some kind of concern about
Jonathan's future and David being a threat to that.
He said hey don't you see what this what this kid is going to
do. Your posterity is at risk.
Your position is at risk, your future is at risk, your
Dynasty's at risk. You're going to just give it all
up for the son of Jesse. And so you can see how this is
trickery. This is manipulation, Saul is
trying to persuade Jonathan by highlighting his own benefit and
his own future and his own well-being.
Here's the thing. You can't tempt a man, like
Jonathan with Fame with security, with prominence, even
with a palace, when you've already been sold out to God's
purposes, Jonathan he doesn't even entertain the thought
because Jonathan as we've learned from chapter 18, when he
destroyed himself and place his weapon and his all these things
into the hands of of David. He already made a statement and
that statement was this, I'm surrendered to the program that
God has ordained for my life. And if in God's Providence and
in his planning, I'm not supposed to be king, but you're
supposed to be king, then I would Joyce submit to that It's
very difficult to tempt, a man, or a woman who is completely
sold out to the purposes of God. Even if it is at his own
expense, even if the whole world can be, offered to him as Satan
tempted Jesus, when your heart is convinced to please your
master, whatever it demands of you.
Satan has very little to work with.
And that's what he's showing here.
Quick question. Do you believe that saw was
actually concerned about Jonathan's future?
Is this a dad wants to make sure that his son has a Ministry and
his son has has something to look forward to.
Is that is that what's happening here?
It's all being a good dad here and he just being cautious, know
why? We have so much already up to.
This point are studying for Samuel to give us reason to
believe that Saul has proven over.
And over that he's very, very little concern about others and
very much concerned about himself proof.
Remember when we saw David, scuse me, Jonathan, overtake,
that Garrison of the Philistines and first, Samuel 13 who took
the credit for that saw So his son accomplish a great thing and
he wanted to take credit for himself now.
Never mind other chapters. How do we know in this very same
chapter, the same context. That's all could care less about
his son's future and it was all about his name and his
reputation and the monument that he set up.
Look at verse 33. But saw hurled his spear at him
to strike him. Interesting.
So, you're concerned about your son, being the king, and the
next move, you're ready to pin him against his chair with a
spear. Good job, Saul.
Very simple illustration of a principle that you and I have
heard all our lives. That your words and my words.
Do not mean much of our actions contradict, right?
Saul claims one thing. He behaves in another saw
professes. One thing and his behavior
proves another the language of love in the Christian faith is
spoken by acts of service and sacrifice.
Even our love to God, no matter how much we profess it.
If one says I love God but hates his brother.
John says he's a liar. I want you to be king and in the
next breath, he takes a spear and he uses that breath to try
to kill his son. Your words mean so much song.
I read that now is convicted. When I say to somebody, I love
you. Do I really mean I love you.
Like what do I mean by that? I love you brother.
What do I mean by that? When I say when I say I'm here
for you? What do I mean when I say this
one's going to hurt. When I say, I'm going to pray
for you. Like These Things are Slip out
of our mouths, you know? I'll pray for you.
A simple but necessary point about our actions being the
determining factor of the worth and the validity of our claims.
I want you to be king, I'm protecting your Dynasty.
John. And so this spear is hurled at
him and we read. So Jonathan that same verse knew
that his father was determined to put David to death.
This guy is willing to kill his own son.
Why would I have it any trouble to believe that he's willing to
kill a Farmer Boy? David was right.
David was right now, this is incredible and verse 34 you read
about Jonathan again. You read about Jonathan again
and you see something. Listen, when I say Jonathan, I
hope I hope you. And I have studied this man
enough to realize that he is a great great portrait of
selflessness of death to self. Right.
If God Made You King though, politically, I'm supposed to be
king, it's yours. If I had to stand for truth,
even though I have to face the fury of my father, then I will
stand for truth. Like this guy, this guy is dead
to himself and now we go even deeper into his Art the Holy
Spirit. Allows us to go even further
into this man's soul to see that.
He's really, really dead to himself.
And a beautiful way, we see it in verse 34 and Jonathan Rose
from the table and fierce anger. Yeah, no kidding.
You just called my mom, a prostitute.
He just said, I'm not your son. You just threw a spear at me.
Is that why? He was angry?
No. Jonathan Rose from the table and
fierce anger and ate no food. The second day of the month for
he was grieved for David. Free was grieved for David
because his father has disgraced him.
Can you be consumed with such a love for another person?
That even though you yourself are enduring pain and hurt,
that's being hurled at you. You were so unconcerned about
you because there's somebody else who is undergoing, shame
and disgrace and Injustice, it's possible.
It's possible to be so dead to self. that when it comes to
insults towards you like a corpse, you're in Shakin. but
when it comes to somebody else, you're broken, And this is not
just an illustration of what our love should look like.
For one another as members of the body of Christ I believe
this is an illustration of what Christ demands from us
concerning our love for him. What I mean by that that we
should be so alive in Christ that when it comes to his name
being blasphemed and his name being smeared in the dirt and
his name being Contradicted by the character of Christians and
maybe even our own lives. That it would, it would break
us. And even cause what the psalmist
said, a righteous indignation because they have broken your
long, but as much as we might be alive to Christ that we would,
we would be so sensitive to these things.
So sensitive, that even when you go to that game and people are
using God's name in vain, you would cringe.
When you thought you were watching, something innocent and
somebody takes the name of Jesus Christ as a cuss word, as an
expression of frustration, it would burn in your bosom. so
alive in Christ in such a way, but so dead to self that if
people spit in your face, It's like you spout on a dead man.
Jonathan. What a man makes you wonder why
he didn't become king. I mean.
We somebody made this beautiful illustration with Jonathan and
David Jonathan was just as much as a man of God, and David was
so why did God choose day? Because that's his sovereignty.
David even up to me, I would not be concerned about me.
Paul had a disciple like that. Paul had a man named Timothy,
and I love this verse. It has stuck with me ever since
I read it, and I can't shake it off because It just made an
impression on my soul, you don't have to turn there, but just
listen to these words, he writes to the Philippians and he says
in Philippians 2 24. I have no one like him, Timothy,
who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare?
Why verse 21 for they all seek their own interest.
Not those of Jesus Christ. They Timothy is unique.
Why is Timothy unique? Not because he's a great order,
not because not because he's a theologian because the man's
interest moment. He thought about one person
David He thought it won't person his friend.
Oh, that Christ would fill us with such a love for one another
and for him. So what happens first 35?
In the morning. Jonathan went out to the field
to the appointment with David and with him a little boy.
Now this is what I'm going to do.
The remainder of the study. This portion of the text is so
beautifully written. It's so detailed, it's so
colorful that as I read it, I don't have a doubt that you're
going to begin to Envision it in your mind.
You're going to actually see it play out.
So let me just read it. I'm not going to interrupt and
just just let your mind. Let a holy imagination.
Now, come to life and then we'll Talk about a few points.
In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the
appointment with David and with him a little boy and he said to
this his boy run and find the arrows that I shoot as the boy
ran, he shot an arrow Beyond him.
And he rose and departed and Jonathan went into the City and
the curtain closes. Precious beautiful.
So many things. So many things to learn but just
a few to consider tonight. first, did you notice that there
is an interesting Segment dedicated to Jonathan in this
little boy. Right.
It's amazing. How this is how we get
revelation. We ask the text questions.
Why? What why this whole thing played
out? He brought this little boy and
this little boy went and he followed the Arrow when he came,
he says no, no, come on, let's go.
Let's get moving and he comes and says human the wisdom of
Christ when we don't we don't think that even obeying the Lord
will bring about the best outcome.
And yet still, he is worthy of our obedience.
Says here that this boy obeyed his master.
And it's really the Simplicity of the Christian Life.
You and I have God's word, have God's instructions and All
Seasons. If you ever are doubting the
will of God for your life realize that no matter what the
particular as you were asking for the will of God has been
revealed to you. It's here.
And here is the Simplicity of this illustration.
It's really the Simplicity of the Christian Life Trust and
Obey for there's no other way but to be happy in Jesus, but to
trust and obey, Just like this childlike Faith, right?
He didn't ask question. You think this little boy with
the Jonathan, why are you shooting arrows?
And me picking it up target practice.
You would need to shoot more arrows.
I don't understand. And then now you brought me all
the way up to this field and now you want me to pick up one arrow
and then you want me to go all the way back to the city.
That's not, that's not childlike faith.
I don't understand Lord how this command is going to help me in
this situation. In fact, I think it's going to
get me in more trouble. But I'm going to trust you.
If you want to be an honest believer, then I will be an
honest believe and I will be truthful in this situation.
D.c. simple illustration. So let's look at the other side.
You and I as friends you and I as gospel Folk, To one another.
We are called to be correctors to be rebuked errs, to be
instructors, right? In love and in patients.
And with with great caution And we are to be to this outside
world truth-tellers. We are not supposed to withhold
the truth. We don't just emphasize on the
good. We don't even have good news if
we don't first have bad news. but on the flip side, how much
do we honor truth speakers in our lives?
how much do we value those in our lives that are willing to
call us out if we need to be called out, Do we love open
rebuke more than hidden love? Do we love the Embrace of
someone who's willing to wound us more than the kiss of an
enemy. I see David as a man of great.
Humility and integrity when he sees Jonathan, delivered this
message. He respects him.
He vows to him. He honors him.
And we must be the same to those who speak into our lives truth.
And I don't think that everybody has the right to speak into our
lives, by the way. I don't, because not everybody
has the best intention in mind for you.
There are some people who want to criticize you to Cripple you.
I'm not saying be naive and let anybody just say what they want.
Or like no by the, the sermon of the spirit.
Be very prayerful of inviting people into your life that will
in love. And you know, and love will say
what they need to say even if it hurts to build you up, David
honored, he honored Jonathan and after this, They Embrace and in
good fashion, Middle Eastern style.
They kiss each other. And they weep.
They weep. David weeps more.
Obviously Jonathan's going to get, get to go back to the city,
Jonathan's going to go see his other friends.
Jonathan's going to go to his warm bed, Jonathan's going to be
able to be part of the army, still David.
It's not gonna be able to see his wife.
He actually has to go fetch his family to leave Bethlehem
because he's scared for their safety.
He's gonna have to walk in the desert night thinking.
I thought I was supposed to be the king.
How is this? How is this work?
so, he weeps more Can I be honest with you?
When I read that I got angry. Because I see this, I see
Jonathan and David embracing each other weeping weeping
weeping. And all I could think and saying
this is Sol's fault. And I believe we need to be more
angry about Sin. I don't think Christians are
angry enough. Not about people, talking about
Sin, the destructive nature about Sin.
I believe if we were, if we had that anger more real in our
lives, we wouldn't tolerate it so easily in our lives.
Jesus Christ was anointed with the oil of gladness, not just
because he loved righteousness, but because he hated wickedness,
We just think Jesus was. Just he just loves and when
anything wrong happened. He just don't do that.
No. He hated wickedness.
He hated wickedness so much that he shed his blood, because of
it. Since shatters it breaks it
destroys. And we see a picture of it here.
Destroying a friendship. Destroying family.
Destroying something that could have been so beautiful.
Be careful not to be angry at people because people are not
our enemies. Sin and Satan our enemies.
Jonathan after weeping heaving, maybe puts Javits David aside
holds him by the shoulders. And he says, these three
wonderful words that should not be surprising coming from a man
of God after David is weeping and maybe Jonathan collected
himself earlier and David still weeping.
He says, in verse 42, go in peace.
Go in peace. David, I know this hurts.
I know. This is painful.
I know you didn't expect this. Remember what I said earlier,
the Lord is sending you away and he says, go in peace.
Because he reminds him of the Covenant that they made, in the
name of the Lord. He reminds him that his future
is secure, he reminds him in essence indirectly that when
you, and I have isn't going to finish, it's not leave it or
jealous of it. as in sauce case, We end on a sad note.
But we end also on a hopeful note, go in.
Peace. David could go into that Bleak,
lifeless Wilderness in Israel. Knowing that the Lord had sent
them there. And you and I can have great
confidence tonight that wherever we are in this moment.
If you are walking with God, no matter what man has done to
cause it. No matter what kind of family
dysfunction, you're trying to deal with.
No matter what it is in your life, God is sovereign.
And what he's going to put David through is absolutely necessary
before he becomes king. You think God is think God is
just reacting to Saul. You think God's Got, You Know
What I really was? I was really having David to
stay in the palace this whole time.
So let's just figure out another plan.
No, God ordained it. God ordained it and this would
do nothing but good to David as we're about to find out in the
weeks ahead. Cherishes Bible study because
And this season and this month of the year, we're going to be
focusing on the Incarnation of Christ.
So keep this fresh in your hearts before we return to this
Bible study. Let's pray and ask God to do
that. Loi, thank you.
That you and your great wisdom have spelled out such a glorious
story filled with sanctifying truths.
Lord, as we've concluded, our study of Jonathan in great
detail. We thank you for this real
person who who illustrates so much of the potential of the man
set apart for God. Lord of Jonathan.
Is an example of anything. Surely tonight.
Lord, he's an example of the devotion, and the sacrifice that
is required of us, in light of the son of David Christ, Jesus
himself. We asked, oh God.
That those who would blaspheme his name would hurt us more than
if they have blasphemed our name.
If they have tarnished our name, it would not mean anything in
comparison to your glorious glorious name.
We ask. Oh God.
That we would have that fiery devotion that even if God
forbid, we have to stand against the most lovely people in their
lives, the closest people to our lives.
We will choose peace with Christ, over peace with man.
Lord. We pray that as we've learned so
much about friendship that it went in, just stir our minds.
Our hearts, it wouldn't be just good fresh insights Lord.
Make It Real in our lives to love each other.
With such a selfless concern. That people's pain would be our
pain and people's distress would be our distress.
That people's hunger would be our hunger.
There need would be our need Inspire that in our hearts, by
the spirit of God, we can't do it.
Lord, we confess. We will fail at this.
Leave us to ourselves Lord, and we will be consumed with
ourselves but do a work in US. For those in this place, Lord,
Jesus, who are enduring suffering, the Injustice of man
Payne. Family, even the hurtful words
of those that are supposed to Spring forth life, we just pray
that this would serve as a motivation to remain.
Holy Vengeance is mine says the Lord.
We leave it to you, we will not rob you.
We will not steal from you. And tonight not only is
Vengeance yours. All the glory is yours and we
want to give you glory tonight because your word is life and
you have supplied life into our souls tonight in a fresh way.
We give you maximum praise, we give you all the honor and all
the glory in this house because we have received, we have eaten
of your word, the bread of life. Be blessed by our worship.
As we respond to these truths and we say I surrender and I
give myself to your purposes, no matter, what is demanded of me
to make it so and Jesus name we pray.
Amen.