1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and Jonathan cried after the lad make speed, haste, 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: stay not. Then Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows and 3 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:17,640 Speaker 1: came to his master first Samuel twenty thirty eight. Dear God, 4 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: as my life continues to grow and evolve, I thank 5 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 1: you for blessing me with covenant relationships like David and Jonathan's. 6 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: When I am on the verge of stepping into my destiny, 7 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: bless me with friendships that have the inside scoop on 8 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: whommever is trying to cause me harm or hinder my purpose. 9 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: I pronounce love and favor as the main companions in 10 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: my friendships. I declare that the inner circle of friends 11 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: surrounding my life are purpose driven, then destiny minded. Thank you, 12 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: Lord that you are bringing the right people into my 13 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: life at the right time. From this day forward, I 14 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 1: will make the conscious decision to invest into my relationships 15 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: and ensure that our bond of friendship will be strong 16 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 1: and purposeful. Even when it seems like I'm in a 17 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: season of hiding and preparing, I will remain confident that 18 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: distance and time won't break the God connections surrounding my life. 19 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, Amen, thanks for making prayer a priority 20 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: in your life to hear the Bible come to life, 21 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: Stay tuned for the Bible in a Year, brought to 22 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:46,320 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot com. 23 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 2: The Bond of Friendship. In our last story, we learned 24 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: how sALS sought to take David's life. Jealousy en rage 25 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 2: filled Saul, and he sent men to murder him, but 26 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 2: Jonathan saved David and David escaped to Samuel. In this story, 27 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: we learn how Jonathan and David's friendship grows stronger. Jonathan 28 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 2: protects and nurtures David from the heavy hand of Saul. 29 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 2: As inspired by the Book of First Samuel. 30 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 31 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In our story yesterday, we 32 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 3: saw how Saul's jealousy spilled over in his desire to 33 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 3: destroy David. Saul could not take the praise and adulation 34 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 3: and adoration that was growing in the hearts of the 35 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 3: people for David. He knew he was losing his kingdom, 36 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 3: so he tried to kill David again and again. David 37 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 3: fled into Samuel's territory, and David was protected not only 38 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 3: by God, but by Saul's own household, his son Jonathan, 39 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 3: and David's wife Michael, the daughter of Saul. And today 40 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 3: we will see how Saul continues to pursue David, and 41 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 3: how Jonathan once again protects the life of his dear friend. 42 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 3: Let's listen now to today's reading. 43 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: David and Jonathan sat sitting on a stone facing the 44 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 2: city below. Subtle tears welled up in David's eyes as 45 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 2: he watched the city from afar. What have I done 46 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: to deserve this from him? David said, shaking his head. 47 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: Jonathan sat there silently for a moment, allowing David to 48 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 2: feel the sting of betrayal. He put his hand on 49 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 2: David's shoulder and said, you shall not die, my friend. 50 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: My father does nothing without telling me first. I will 51 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: know if he tries anything else. David was not convinced. 52 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 2: He was still soaking up the view of the city. 53 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 2: He loved the people as his own sheep. The sun 54 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 2: was beginning its descent and a mild orange filled the skies. David, 55 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 2: still looking forward, said, your father knows we are close 56 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 2: than brothers. He would not tell you of his plans 57 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: to kill me again. I'll do whatever you want Jonathan said, 58 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 2: tomorrow is the new moon, and your father is expecting 59 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 2: me to feast with him in the elders. I will 60 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 2: hide instead, and you will tell him I am in 61 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 2: Bethlehem making a sacrifice with my clan. If your father 62 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: is fine, then we will know he means me no harm. 63 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 2: If your father is angry, we will know his heart. 64 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,719 Speaker 2: David paused for a moment. He felt his tears returning. 65 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 2: He regained his composure and stood up. You and I 66 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 2: have made a promise to be friends. However, if you 67 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,920 Speaker 2: find any guilt in me, you should kill me yourself. 68 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 2: Jonathan sprang to his feet and said, nonsense. Come, let 69 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 2: us go out into the field. So the two walked 70 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 2: through the fields. Jonathan put his arm around David and said, 71 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 2: I we shall send word of Sal's temperament. Jonathan paused 72 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 2: and became very serious. Listen, God will show you favor 73 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 2: wherever you go. He will exalt you as king and 74 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:17,679 Speaker 2: destroy all those that make you their enemy. Please show 75 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 2: love to my house when God removes your enemies. David 76 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 2: took Jonathan's words very seriously, and the two of them 77 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 2: made a covenant with one another there in the field. 78 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: Jonathan promised to serve David and protect him, and David 79 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 2: swore to show Jonathan and his entire household love and favor. 80 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: Jonathan spoke again, saying, in the next three days, I 81 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,279 Speaker 2: will go out into the field for target practice where 82 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 2: you are hiding. I will shoot three arrows towards you 83 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 2: and send my servant to go and retrieve them. If 84 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: you hear me yell the arrows are on that side, 85 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 2: it means the coast is clear for you to return. 86 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 2: If you hear me yell go further, then that means 87 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,679 Speaker 2: Saul is still seeking your life and you should flee. 88 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 2: The two of them embraced in parted ways. David loved 89 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: Jonathan's soul as much as his own, and there were 90 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 2: no closer friends in all of Israel. The Moon Festival 91 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 2: had begun and David's place at the king's table was empty. 92 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: Saul paid little attention to David's absence, thinking he may 93 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: have just been ill. However, when the second day of 94 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 2: the festival passed, Saul asked Jonathan, saying, where is the 95 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 2: sun of Jesse. Jonathan cleared his throat and replied, David 96 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 2: asked me if he could go back to Bethlehem to 97 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 2: make a sacrifice with his clan. His brothers demanded it. 98 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 2: Saul drove his knife into the table. You stupid son 99 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 2: of a whore, he yelled. Do you think I'm a fool? 100 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: I know you want him to be king in your place. 101 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 2: You shame yourself and your mother. As long as David lives, 102 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 2: you will never be king. Saul shoved his chair back 103 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 2: and pointed to his servants, go find David so I 104 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: can slaughter him myself. Jonathan stood up and yelled back 105 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 2: at his father, why should he be put to death? 106 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 2: As Jonathan was speaking, Saul took his spear and hurled 107 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 2: it at Jonathan. He missed and the spear was driven 108 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 2: into the wall behind him. The room was silent. Saul 109 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 2: was huffing in anger. Jonathan met his father's gaze with 110 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: complete rage in his eyes. Jonathan did not fear Saul, 111 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: for he knew that the lord was with David. Jonathan 112 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:43,679 Speaker 2: said nothing and left the room in a silent fury. 113 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 2: The next morning, Jonathan went out into the field with 114 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 2: his servant for target practice. He shout three arrows into 115 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 2: the distance where he knew David was hiding. He turned 116 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: to his servant and said, start running. You will find 117 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 2: the arrows as I shoot them. So the boy ran, 118 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 2: unknowingly in David's direction. The boy was close to where 119 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 2: the arrows were, but Jonathan yelled, keep running. The arrow 120 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: is still ahead of you. Hurry, hurry, do not wait 121 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 2: even a moment. So the boy ran faster, but the 122 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 2: command to run was really for David. He bowed in 123 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 2: Jonathan's direction and fled into the wilderness to escape the 124 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: judgment of Song. Although David wasn't hiding it, God's desire 125 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 2: to use him was not finished. Neither would there be 126 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 2: separation between his heart and Jonathan's. 127 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 3: Today's scripture begins with David and Jonathan having a conversation. 128 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 3: The mood is heavy because Saul is trying to kill 129 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 3: David and remove the threat to his own kingdom. But Jonathan, 130 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,440 Speaker 3: though he is Saul's son, is loyal to David. He 131 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 3: knows that God has anointed this man to be the king. 132 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 3: Proverbs tells us that there is a friend that sticks 133 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 3: closer than abrupt and certainly this is the relationship between 134 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 3: these two men, David and Jonathan. They are like brothers. 135 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 3: It is a beautiful example of the closeness and the 136 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 3: commitment that is stronger than even the bonds of family. 137 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 3: Jonathan wants to reassure David and says his father would 138 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 3: not do anything to David without telling Jonathan first. But 139 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 3: David has already had his life threatened by Saul on 140 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 3: multiple occasions. He is understandably anxious, and he's certain that Saul, 141 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 3: knowing the closest between these two, would hide his plans 142 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 3: from Jonathan. Jonathan promises to do whatever he needs to 143 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 3: do in order to help David, so David devises a plant. 144 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 3: Jonathan will tell his father that David has decided to 145 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 3: go to Bethlehem to offer sacrifices with his people there. 146 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 3: If Saul seems okay with that, David can rest easy. 147 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 3: But if he flies off into one of his now 148 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 3: characteristic tirades, Jonathan will know that he means harm to David. 149 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 3: So Jonathan tells David that he will do as he asks, 150 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 3: and he tells David how he will use a code 151 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,920 Speaker 3: to get him the word of his safety. He would 152 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 3: shoot erras for practice, and if he tells his servant 153 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 3: who goes to retrieve the errors, that they are farther out, 154 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 3: David will know to run. These two men swore an 155 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 3: oath to each other, and David promised to show kindness 156 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,680 Speaker 3: to Jonathan's offspring, no matter what would happen to Jonathan. 157 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 3: In First Samuel twenty verses thirteen to fifteen, this is 158 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 3: what Jonathan says in God's word. May the Lord be 159 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,679 Speaker 3: with you as he has been with my father. If 160 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 3: I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of 161 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 3: the Lord that I may not die, And do not 162 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 3: cut off your steadfast love in my house forever. When 163 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:45,200 Speaker 3: the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of 164 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 3: David from the face of the earth, Jonathan knew that 165 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 3: God had chosen David to be the king. Jonathan would 166 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 3: not stand in God's way. He would support God's man. 167 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 3: He only wanted to ensure that his offspring, his children, 168 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 3: and their children would not suffer for the sins of 169 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 3: their father or their grandfather. And so at the New 170 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 3: Moon festival, Jonathan tells his father that David wanted to 171 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: go to Bethlehem to offer sacrifices, and Saul's response couldn't 172 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 3: be more clear. He is incensed and turns his anger 173 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:22,080 Speaker 3: to his own son, cursing him for his loyalty to David. Saul, 174 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 3: in a fit of rage, accuses Jonathan of not caring 175 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 3: that someone else would be the king and not Jonathan, 176 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 3: and he's right. Jonathan would have been the rightful heir. 177 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 3: But Jonathan is not interested in power. He only wanted 178 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 3: to obey God, and clearly God's plan. God's purpose was 179 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 3: for David to rule. So Jonathan sends his message to David, 180 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 3: who bows in his friend's direction. He is deeply indebted 181 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 3: to his friend as he flees into the wilderness. David's 182 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 3: path to the throne would twist and turn even more 183 00:11:56,120 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 3: before he would finally become king, and tomorrow will hear 184 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 3: how he continues to run for his life. Dear God, 185 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 3: we thank you for faithful friends, for the people in 186 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 3: our lives that love us, care for us, and always 187 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 3: seek our best. Thank you in this passage of scripture 188 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 3: that we can learn about the loyalty of Jonathan and 189 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 3: David and practice that same kind of faithfulness with our 190 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 3: family and our friends. Help us to be friends that 191 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:28,319 Speaker 3: others can trust with their very lives. In Jesus' name, Amen, 192 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 3: thank you for listening to today's Bible in a year podcast, 193 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com 194 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 3: app and make prayer and Bible study a priority in 195 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 3: your life. If you enjoy this podcast, share it with 196 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 3: someone you love or know. And by sharing this podcast, 197 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,719 Speaker 3: we can get the word of God to the world. 198 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 3: And if you want more resources on how to tap 199 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,959 Speaker 3: into God's power for Christian living, be sure to visit 200 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 3: Jack Graham dot org. God Bless you. 201 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 202 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 203 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 4: Welcome to the Prey News podcast, where hope is our 204 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 4: only bias. Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories 205 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 4: happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. We 206 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,720 Speaker 4: won't shy away from the hard topics, and we won't 207 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 4: dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more than 208 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 4: a daily brief on the news. It's a way to 209 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 4: be informed and transformed. Listen to Prey News on the 210 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 4: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.