Hello everyone, I hope you are all fine by God’s grace, and that the lent period is going on smoothly in The Lord.
Yesterday’s post was about David and Jonathan, and the post ended with this question “Are you David or Jonathan”? Today, we’re going to explore Jonathan’s mindset and attitude towards friendship.
Friendship and love from Jonathan’s perspective
1. When you love someone, you know it from your first encounter(s)
1 Samuel 18:1 NIV
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
2. When you love someone, you want to initiate friendship as soon as possible (you aren’t afraid to take the first step and initiate the relationship)
1 Samuel 18:3 NIV
And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself
3. When you love someone, you not only feel like sharing alot with the person but also like giving, you feel generous
1 Samuel 18:4 NIV
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.
4.When you love someone you’re loyal to him/her in The Lord.
1 Samuel 19:1-3 NIV
Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.”
5. When you love someone you protect the person
1 Samuel 19:3 KJV
[3] And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art , and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
6. When you love someone, you want your parents and or whole family to love the person too.
1 Samuel 19:4-6 KJV
[4] And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: [5] For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it , and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? [6] And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.
7. When you love someone, even your parents know/notice that you love them.
1 Samuel 20:3a KJV
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes;
8. When you love someone you are ready to help.
1 Samuel 20:4 KJV
Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
9. When you love someone you warn him/her about upcoming dangers
1 Samuel 20: 9 KJV
… for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
10. When you love someone you bring up your relationship to God, and involve Him in it .
1 Samuel 20:16-17 NIV
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
1 Samuel 20:42 NIV
Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord , saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
11. When you love someone, you see their destiny, and not only do you encourage them but you wish them good without being jealous.
1 Samuel 20:14-16
[14] And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord , that I die not: [15] But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. [16] So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying , Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
12. When you love someone you stand for him/her.
1 Samuel 20:32-34
[32] And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? [33] And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. [34] So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
13. When you love somebody, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for a favor.
1 Samuel 20:14-16
[14] And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord , that I die not: [15] But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. [16] So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying , Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
These are 13 things picked up by looking at how Jonathan behaved as a friend. If you find gold in your friends even when others don’t see their worth yet, if you recognize yourself in most of these,then you can safely say “I am (a) Jonathan”. You are the encourager of your friends, and the friend who supports them in The Lord when they face times of need. Congratulations 🎊.
Tomorrow God willing, we’ll explore friendship from David’s perspective.
Prayer
Father Lord God Almighty, help me be a loving and faithful friend like Jonathan was, in Jesus Christ’s Name I pray. Amen.
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God bless you all.
Thanks for reading.
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