Bible Study - Relationships (2) - Forge True Friendships - 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:4-7; 20:10-13 - June 11, 2017

Bible Study – Relationships (2) – Forge True Friendships – June 11, 2017

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Real Relationships.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:4-7 and 20:10-13.

Strong friendships thrive because of shared commitment.

Marriage is a commitment bound by a covenant. A covenant is the strongest bond made on the human level and between GOD and mankind. GOD made such a covenant with Abraham which was acknowledged by the symbol of circumcision, the Israelites on Mount Sinai confirmed by the Ten Commandments and ultimately by the sending of HIS Own SON JESUS. JESUS sealed and confirmed the final covenant by the shedding of HIS blood and HIS death, burial and the final victory, HIS resurrection. 

The title of our lesson is "Forge True Friendships." Forge means to reshape metal by exposing it to heat and hammering. The blacksmith has a plan for that piece of metal and he or she shapes the metal according to that plan. It is like the scripture that reveals that GOD is the potter and we are the clay. GOD is intimate with the clay and the clay is available to GOD to be shaped as HE desires.  

Forging a true relationship takes work, availability and commitment to the task be it building a true relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, marriage or being a true friend to another person.

To confirm and assure all who place their faith in JESUS of this final covenant, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS. HE sent the Holy Spirit to all who place their faith in JESUS as their guarantee of salvation. That is a powerful covenant which cannot be broken.

Our scripture focuses upon a human friendship which reveals the depth of commitment to each other. That friendship was between Jonathan, King Saul’s son, heir to the Throne, and David, the shepherd boy destined to be the next King of Israel.

It is exciting to see the hand of GOD work in the lives of Jonathan and David as GOD positions David to be the next King of Israel.

Loyal, binding friendship is the basis for all marriages. The wedding day is just the beginning for a man and his wife to build such a lasting relationship. The day of salvation is just the beginning for a Christian to build such a lasting relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

GOD’S desire is for each Christian to have this intimate, loving relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS. It is a lifelong process. As the song written by Bill Gather goes “the longer I serve HIM, the sweeter HE grows.”

Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Samuel 18:1-4:

David's Success

1 When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan committed himself to David, and loved him as much as he loved himself.

David had killed Goliath and Israel defeated the Philistines. King Saul, king of Israel, was elated. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, formed a friendship with David. Bible scholars have estimated that there was about a 20 year age difference between David, who was about 20 years old, and Jonathan, who was about 40 years old.

The homosexual community attempts to make their relationship more than friendship but they were true friends. Often, I think of our eldest son’s relationship with his very best friend. They were joined at the hip, so to speak.

2 Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father's house.

King Saul wanted David near him. David went to the battlefield to carry food for his brothers. But GOD intervened and David was elevated to a national hero when he killed Goliath. We know from scripture that David calmed King Saul when he played the harp. Yet, King Saul tried several times to kill David. Jonathan was a true friend to David, yet Jonathan had good reason to see David as a threat to him becoming King and not be a true friend to him.

3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself.

4 Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

Jonathan made a covenant with David and to seal that covenant, Jonathan give him his robe, military tunic, sword and belt. This was a transfer of power to assure David that he would not fight against him and foreshadowed one day David being king.

This is a record of a beautiful, true friendship. It was a friendship that was based upon truth. It is an illustration of the friendship GOD desires for Christians to have with HIM. Salvation is the beginning step for Christians to build such a trusting relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 19:4-7:

[Copied from Bible Studies For Life, Personal Study Guide, summer, 2017, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, page 30:

Aristotle observed three kinds of friendships:

1.    Useful friendships. If you work alongside someone or share a common role, such as teammate, Aristotle said it was better to be that person’s friend than his enemy. This type of friendship is very common, but not very deep or lasting.

2.    Friendships derived from pleasure. Most of us enjoy being around people with a sense of humor or those who amuse us. This kind of friend comes and goes as quickly as the other things that bring us pleasure.

3.    Perfect friendships. Perfect friendships are based on goodness and virtue. This kind of friend remains a friend for life, so long as both live virtuous lives. This is a sacrificial kind of friendship.

David and Jonathan exemplified a perfect friendship. Such friendships stand the test of time and trials.]

What does such a relationship mean to Christians? It gives us a picture of the type of relationship JESUS desires to have with us. JESUS is our Savior when we place our faith in HIM. HE gave HIS life so that we might have life eternal. JESUS said it best in John 15:12-16:

12 This is My command: love one another as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.

15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

All Christians are chosen to have a loving, intimate relationship with JESUS. But JESUS’ desire is for us to willingly come to HIM and build that relationship. HE does not force Himself on us, as Christians. HE knows that the human make up is to form a real relationship based upon interaction. Interaction builds trust. Some of our interaction may result in us butting our heads against the walls of uncertainty and unbelief. That is okay because it is designed to remove the false and build upon truth.

4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: "The king should not sin against his servant David. He hasn't sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you.

Jonathan was David’s advocate between King Saul and David. JESUS is a Christian’s advocate between GOD and Satan when Satan accuses a Christian of sin.

5 He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?"

Jonathan reminded King Saul of what David had done for Israel and for him as king. David’s victories revealed that GOD was with David and the King should beware.

6 Saul listened to Jonathan's advice and swore an oath: "As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed."

King Saul agreed not to kill David. Unfortunately, it did not last. King Saul’s jealousy raged within and he looked for opportunities to kill David. When the Spirit of GOD moves out of a person, evil moves in.

7 So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as [he did] before.

Jonathan brokered the relationship for David to return to the service of King Saul. Jonathan used the statement “served him as [he did] before” to indicate to King Saul that David never abandoned his loyalty to King Saul.  

Let’s read 1 Samuel 20:10-13:

10 So David asked Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

11 He answered David, "Come on, let's go out to the field." So both of them went out to the field.

They needed to talk privately.

12 "By the Lord, the God of Israel, if I sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day and I find out that he is favorable toward you, and if I do not send for you and tell you,

13 then may God punish Jonathan and do so severely. If my father intends to bring evil on you, then I will tell you, and I will send you away, and you will go in peace. May the Lord be with you, just as He was with my father.

Jonathan had a strong incentive to betray David. Jonathan was the heir apparent to the throne but he knew that GOD had chosen David to be the next king. 

Notice the past tense “just as HE was with my father.” King Saul had taken matters into his own hands and disobeyed GOD. GOD removed HIS Spirit from Saul. When GOD is absent, Satan moves in. King Saul was paranoid.

David and Jonathan devised a plan for David to know the king’s attitude toward David. Let’s read 1 Samuel 20:3:

3 But David said, "Your father certainly knows that you have come to look favorably on me. He has said, 'Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.' "David also swore, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death."

David knew that the king knew of their faithful relationship. David knew that he was in and out of favor with King Saul. He needed to know where he stood with the king at this stage of life. David requested Jonathan’s help.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 20:16-17:

16 Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the Lord hold David's enemies accountable."

17 Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 20:18-42 is an interesting read regarding their plan to communicate to David whether or not he was in or out of favor with the king.

A true friend sticks closer than a brother.

JESUS is such a friend. HE is not only our Savior but a true friend. HIS desire is for us to be very best friends. As Christians, no matter what we may have done when we confess our sins what does 1 John 1:9 tell us?:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Christians live under GOD’S Grace and is always righteous before GOD.

As Christians, GOD will never leave us or forsake us. We are HIS children redeemed by the shed blood of the LAMB, JESUS. How would you measure your relationship with JESUS? Are you HIS best friend? Is he your best friend? If not what are the barriers that need to come down? Is there un-confessed sin? Is there unbelief? Is there bitterness? Is there hatred? Is there ______?

Ask JESUS to reveal the why in your life. Forge a real relationship/friendship with GOD through your walk with JESUS. Blessings!!!