1 Samuel 18 - Jonathan

Jonathan

Who was your best friend in High School, what did you spend time doing together?

Jonathan is first described in 1 Samuel 14:1-5 when he wins a battle while relying on the Lord for his victory. From that passage we can see that Jonathan is one who depends on God and places God’s work above his own.

                Just prior to these verses, David kills Goliath

1 Samuel 18:1-5

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. ² Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. ³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. ⁵ So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

The end of chapter 18 describes how Saul (Jonathan’s father) became jealous of David and was afraid of him and wanted to kill him.

1 Samuel 19:1-7

Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David. ² So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself. ³ I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you; if I find out anything, then I will tell you.” ⁴ Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “ Do not let the king sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very ^[b]beneficial to you. ⁵ For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death without a cause?” ⁶ Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” ⁷ Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these words. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as formerly.

What does it take for two people’s souls to be knit together?

Jonathan’s Qualities as a Godly Friend –

Selfless Humility – He virtually abdicated the throne

He was an advocate for David

Jonathan was loyal to David through thick and thin.

What are some of the qualities (Of friendship) we see in Jonathan?

To have a friend like Jonathan, you have to be a friend like Jonathan.

Why is it such a challenge to be a friend who shows humility, is an advocate, and be loyal. (XYZ)

For most of us, our spouse is the closest friend we have. Can a married person have a friendship like David and Jonathan?

What does this passage reveal about God’s pattern for our lives?

What does this passage teach us about God?

Judges 6-7 - Gideon

Character Study Introduction

We can learn from what has been recorded in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 10

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ and all ate the same spiritual food; ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was ^[a]Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

⁶ Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “ The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” ⁸ Nor let us act immorally, as some of them ^[b]did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. ⁹ Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them ^[c]did, and were destroyed by the serpents. ¹⁰ Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ¹¹ Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

As we go through these studies let’s look for what we can learn from these examples.

Gideon -  Name means Hewer or Smiter

Lived in the time of the Judges (6-8)

Israel had been through the cycle of deliverance, worship, turning their backs to God, and punishment, then they cried out to God.

·         Judges 6:11-24 The Angel of the Lord visits Gideon

Ironically, weakness is the means by which we become strong. Paul put it this way: "When I am weak, then I am strong" (II Corinthians 12:10).

When Gideon groaned about how small and weak he was, what was the Lord’s response?

What is the Lord’s response to us when we feel small and weak?

·         6:25-27 Gideon replaces idol worship with an alter to the Lord.

Do you think Gideon showed courage in tearing down the Baal Alter?

Where did he find that courage?

Courage is not the absence of fear but rather mastery of it.

·         6:36-40 The Fleece If You will deliver Israel

Testing God? Should we follow this example? How?

Deut 6:16 – You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.

·         Chapter 7 Gideon whittles an army of 32,000 down to 300. The Midianites turned against each other, the remainder of them fled.

Why was Gideon Successful in Battle?

Philippians 4:10-23

Peace, regardless of circumstances

What was the coolest car you have ever owned? Me- 1977 Buick Regal

What was the worst beater you have ever owned? 1969 Buick LeSabre -4 door.

In Phil 1:12 Paul talks about his circumstances and how they turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, even though he was in prison. In this closing passage, Paul again addresses his circumstances and emphasizes how circumstances should be the least of our worries.

Read: 4:10-23  

Paul talks about having learned to be content regardless of his circumstances. How do you think he learned that? (  Wait … Was it through prosperity?)  

What does Paul mean by ALL Things in v.13?

Paul thanks the Philippians for their support and reinforces the idea that they have been partners with him in all his missionary work.

Then he writes a big check for God to sign in v. 19.

What were the needs of the church at Phillipi?

Can we assume that God will supply all of our needs? Does He?

Key Verses:

1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

1: 27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any  affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

3:1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that ^[i]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

4:5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.

4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.