Tag: Jonathan

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Wisdom Prayer

We All Need Encouragement!

We All Need Encouragement!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who provide encouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have you ever felt trapped?

Just as you think things could not get worse, would you expect to be encouraged?

Saul hoped to be rid of David.

Saul thought he had trapped David in Keilah, but David made a decision to flee with his men before Saul could surround the town. In 1 Samuel 23:13(ESV) we learn David’s men “went wherever they could go.”

In 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (ESV) we learn even though David was on the run, a friend comes along side of him.

“David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, ‘Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.’ And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”

With the threat of death hanging over David, God sent Jonathan to provided encouragement.

Who can you come along side of and encourage? Think about it. Reach out and encourage someone today.

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Wisdom Prayer

Those Who Intend Harm!

Those Who Intend Harm!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom and safety for those who are around others who intend them harm. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In 1 Samuel 19, Saul once again tries to kill David. At another point, David fled in the night to avoid being killed.

In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan’s and David’s special bond is confirmed. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, tries to intervene with his father to stop him from killing David but to no avail. Jonathan devises a plan to determine if Saul is really angry, and wants to kill David.

This test is based on David missing a few meals with Saul and Jonathan. Because David is not present, finally, Saul gets mad, and Jonathan becomes convinced of his father’s intent to kill David.

Jonathan knows David has been hiding during this time. David is in his hiding place. As a signal to David, Jonathan shoots arrows a far distance. This lets David know it is not safe for him, and it is King Saul’s intent is to kill him.

When Jonathan is alone, David comes out of hiding.

In 1 Samuel 20:41-42 (ESV) Jonathan and David are together.

“And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’’ And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.”

Jonathan had saved David’s life.

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Wisdom Prayer

A Close Bond!

A Close Bond!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have close bonds with their friends. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David’s success at defeating Goliath led him to meeting with Saul and his son, Jonathan.

1 Samuel 18:1-5 (ESV) tells about Jonathan’s and David’s relationship.

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”

David’s and Jonathan’s friendship will be important to each of them later on in Scripture.

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Wisdom Prayer

Ransomed from Death?

Ransomed from Death?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who stand condemned but are ransomed from death. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Will Jonathan die as a result of having violated his father, Saul’s, oath made in 1 Samuel 14:24 (ESV) “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies”?

1 Samuel 14:43-46 (ESV) tell us the answer.

“Then Saul said to Jonathan, ‘Tell me what you have done.’ And Jonathan told him, ‘I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.’ And Saul said, ‘God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.’ Then the people said to Saul, ‘Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.’ So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.”

Saul did not have to kill his son for violating his oath because he was ransomed.

Likewise, God has his son, Jesus Christ, die on the cross to pay the ransom for our sins. Through faith in Christ, we are set us free and given eternal life.

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Wisdom Prayer

Avoid Making Rash Vows!

Avoid Making Rash Vows!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who avoid making rash vows. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After the Philistine camp was in chaos, Saul was about to make what the English Standard Version calls in its heading, “Saul’s Rash Vow.”

1 Samuel 14:24-30 (ESV) provides context for what happened.

“And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’’ And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

Jonathan, unaware of his father’s oath, violated the oath by tasting the honey. Saul’s vow carried the weight as the king. What he said, was like the law of the land.

It is easier said than done…avoid making any statements that may later be regretted.

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Wisdom Prayer

Trust the Lord to Work!

Trust the Lord to Work!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who trust the Lord to work. In Jesus’ name, amen.

As the Philistines were poised to attack, Jonathan and the young man who carried his armor left the main camp of the Israelites and went to find out about the Philistines.

We learn in 1 Samuel 14:6-15 (ESV) how the Lord was about to use Jonathan and his armor-bearer were to change everything.

“Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.’ And his armor-bearer said to him, ‘Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.’ Then Jonathan said, ‘Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.’ So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, ‘Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.’ And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, ‘Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.’ And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, ‘Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.’ Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.”

Not every situation will work out the way Jonathan and his armor-bearer’s did. Yet, what Jonathan said makes sense, “It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”

Ever felt outnumbered but have trusted the Lord to work?

God can make a way when there seems to be no way.

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