The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-08-21
Lesson for August "a
JONATHAN AND DAVID: A NOBLE
FRIENDSHIP

J.
LESSON TEXT Samuel 1914; 20:
1l.l7, go, "a, Al, AZ; II Samuel l:17-27.
GOLDEN TEXT-A man that hath
friends must show himself friendly and
there is a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Two True Friends.
JUNIOR TOPIC-David and Jona-
than, Friends.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Finding Worthy Friends.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Friend Who Does Not Fail.
The friendship of David and Jona-
than has become immOrtalized in the
worlds thought. 1t was unique in that
It occurred between two men of rival
worldly interests. Jonathan was the
crown prince, heir to the throne
according to hereditary rights. David
was heir by divine choice and ar
rangement. Jonathan knew this and
magnanimously waived his natural
personal rights in favor Of the one
he knew God had chosen.
I. Friendship Established Between
David and Jonathan Il Sam. 1914.
]. Love at sight wv. l, p.
Following the interview of Saul and
David, after the victory over Goliath,
JOnathan's soul was knit with that of
David. He loved David as his own
soul. While there was mutual love,
this pleasing trait stands out more
prominently in Jonathan than in
David.
2. A covenant established wv. 3, ~.
The bringing of David into Sauls
home gave opportunity for expression
Of love between Jonathan and David.
This love resulted in the establish
ment Of covenant between them.
Following this love covenant, Jona-
than stripped himself of his court
robe and his equipment and gave
them to David. This act was vir-
tual abdication Of the throne to
David.
~. Jonathan Defended David Against
eauI's Frenzy Il Sam. 1910.
David went into the battle with Co
ligion, not for personal glory, but it
turned out as always, that because he
put God first, God honored him. On
Davids return from victory over the
Philistines, according to oriental Gus
tom, he was met by a triumphal
chorus of women of all the cities of
Israel, chanting praises to him for
his victory over their enemy. They
ascribed more praise and honor to
David than to Saul. To hear sung the
praises Of shepherd boy as surpass-
ing his own was too much for Saul.
Il aroused murderous envy which had
been slumbering in his heart and
moved him to attempt twice to kill
David. This is not an imaginary sin.
Its counterpart may be found in many
OF our own hearts. The only cure for
this dreadful evil is to put God first
Ito think more of him and our duty
to him than our reputation before
men. In Saul's third attempt to kill
David, Jonathan defended him before
/ his father, from whom he secured the
oath that David should not be slain.
/! III. Jonathan Revealed to David
SauI's Murderous Attempt Il Sam.
20 :30-4O).
The beginning of the new moon was
celebrated by sacrifices and feasting
; at which all the members of the fam.
: fly were expected to be present ". 81.
David's excuse for being absent was
that he might go home to attend the
yearly sacrifice of his family. The
annual feast was more important than
the monthly feast. Matters were now
SO serious that Jonathan and David
renewed the covenant between them.
In this renewal the terms were broad
ened beyond the life Of Jonathan wv.
IA, 15). Saul's anger was now so fierce
that for Jonathan to be found in
David's company was most danger
GUS, so he cleverly planned a sign by
which he could make known to David
Saul's attitude and purpose. True
friendship is proven in warning those
who are exposed to danger.
!, Concerning friendships, observe:
1. It should be made while both
parties are young. This is the time
when hearts are capable of being knit
together.
2. Real friends are few. Great care
should be exercised in the formation
Of friendships, for while loving every
body, it is possible to have only
few friends.
8. Both parties must be God-fearing.
David and Jonathan both recognized
their obligation to the Lord, and that
his help was essential to the welfare
Of BOTH
~. David Mourns for Jonathan (u
Sam. 1 :17-27).
When David learned of Jonathan's
death he sincerely mourned, remem-
bering his undying loyalty and his
personal worth.