CLOSER THAN A BROTHER - a story about David and Jonathan - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

by Barbara Wilmerton Haas

Jeff finally got up the nerve to knock on the door. He was standing
in front of the new neighbor's house, hoping to find one more lawn
to mow so he could save enough money to go to camp this summer.

"Hi," he said energetically, as a kind looking lady opened the
door. He couldn't help but notice the boy his age, getting up from
the couch to see who was there. "I'm Jeff...Jeff Hilliard," he
continued. "I live over there in that blue house," he said,
pointing to the house across the street.

The two boys' eyes met and instantly Jeff felt like he already
knew this boy. "I'd like to know if I could help by mowing your
lawn for you."

The kind lady graciously accepted his offer to help.

It was not until the lawn was finished that Jeff got to meet Dan
for the first time. The two boys hit it off right from the start.
It was just as though they had known each other a very long time.

Have you ever made friends with someone so quickly that it felt as
if you have always known him or her? That's exactly the way it
happened with two boys in today's story. However, one was a
king's son and the other was a shepherd boy.

* * *

After David, the shepherd boy, had killed the giant Goliath, Abner,
who was King Saul's general, went and got David to bring him before
the King. King Saul wanted to talk with David so he could find out
what kind of family David came from. He was pretty impressed with
this young lad and his amazing courage, to say the least.

King Saul looked him up and down for a few minutes, admiring the
courageous young fellow. Then he said, "Tell me, son. Who is your
father and where do you live?"

"My father's name is Jesse, Your Majesty. I come from the town of
Bethlehem," David replied with great respect.

It was right after this talk with King Saul that David met Jonathan
for the very first time. Instantly their hearts were bonded
together in friendship. The feeling was so strong that before they
parted, Jonathan promised to be David's blood brother.

To prove he sincerely meant what he said, Jonathan took off his
robe and handed it over to David. Not only did he hand over his
robe, but also his sword, his bow, and his belt. He gave David
these things as proof of their promise to continue the friendship
that began between them on the day David had slain the giant
Goliath.

* * *

From that time on, King Saul had David stay at Jerusalem with him
instead of going back to his home in Bethlehem. He became King
Saul's special assistant and was always successful in every
assignment the King gave him. After a while, he was put in charge
of the King's army. All the soldiers and the people throughout the
city loved David.

Something happened when the army returned home in great victory
after the giant Goliath had been slain. All along the way, as the
army marched back to Jerusalem, women came out of the villages,
dancing and singing, playing their tambourines, having a great
celebration.

But what was it they were singing? Did King Saul hear right?

"Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!"

Naturally, this made King Saul very angry. "What's going on?" he
muttered to himself. "They're giving David credit for slaying TEN
thousand. Yet they're only crediting me for slaying thousands!
Before you know it, they'll be making him KING instead of ME!"

That is exactly when King Saul's heart became filled with jealousy
toward David. In fact, the very next day, Saul became tormented,
the Bible says, with an evil spirit. He began to carry on right in
the middle of the house where everyone could see him.

This same thing had happened to King Saul in the past, so David
knew exactly what to do. He went and got his harp and began playing
some very soothing music. But this time, Saul, who had been
standing with his sword in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David,
aiming to pin his body against the wall. This happened twice, but
each time David was able to escape without being harmed.

* * *

The Bible says, Saul was afraid of David because he knew Yahweh was
with him. Worse yet, King Saul knew Yahweh's Presence had departed
from him. Because of this, Saul sent David out of his house and
removed him from being over the men of war. Instead he made him
captain over a thousand. All eyes were on David as he came and
went.

David acted very wisely in everything he did and the Lord was with
him. When King Saul saw how well David behaved himself, it made him
that much more afraid of him. All the people loved David everywhere
he went.

* * *

Jonathan was shocked the day his father called him and the servants
together and told them he wanted David killed. He immediately went
to warn David.

"Go find a place to hide until morning." My father is right now
searching for you, to kill you," Jonathan warned his best friend
David. "I'll go out and stand beside my father in the field where
you're hiding and feel him out to see if he's changed his mind by
then. Afterwards I'll tell you everything I can find out."

Sorrowfully, David and Jonathan quickly parted before someone
discovered the two of them together.

* * *

THINK!
Do you think David was afraid to talk with King Saul?
What was David's father's name?
From what town did David come?
What was the name of David's new friend?
Who was this new friend?
What four things did this new friend give David?
When did King Saul become angry with David?
What did he do to show his anger?
Why was King Saul afraid of David?

REMEMBER:
When Yahweh is on your side, you have nothing to fear.

A VERSE TO LEARN
"...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"
(Proverbs 18:24b).

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Yahweh, thank You for being with me.
Help me to love others as You love me,
regardless of how they treat me.
In Yah'shua's Name. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
1 Samuel 17:57; 18:1-14; 19:3

DID YOU KNOW?
You can view this Bible story in full color with pictures and
resources to go along with the story at
http://www.childrenschapel.org/biblestories/jonathan.html

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