College and Career. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

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СКАЧАТЬ him. He has not harmed you.” Jonathan then appealed to the king’s leadership: “His deeds have made you look good. Goliath was killed on your watch! Some of those cheers at the parade were for you as the leader whose army returned victoriously.”

      Jonathan then used logic: “David wasn’t officially sworn in as a soldier yet risked his personal safety and killed the Philistine not with weaponry but with the skill of a shepherd.” Whereas David always would receive credit for killing the Philistine, Saul would get credit as the leader for “discovering” David. Leaders do not always have to perform the task at hand. Leadership’s value is in part determined by its ability to identify talent and employ that talent toward the stated goal. Saul easily could have made the argument he was due respect because he was the one who chose to use David. Good leaders realize they do not need to do everything, nor need the credit for all things. Leadership sometimes requires a backseat approach.

       #TrueFriendship

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      Jonathan then spoke spiritually to the matter: “The Lord struck a blow for Israel, working a great salvation—from trash talk and cowering to the remaining Philistines running for their lives. You rejoiced as they fled and returned home defeated for all to see.” He closed the intervention again speaking truth to power: “Why would you entertain brutality against innocent blood?” Had Saul been successful in his campaign to kill David, he would’ve had the stain of bloodguilt on his hands. Saul was guilty of betrayal against one of his loyal soldiers, but it was not necessary for it to escalate to murder. Saul’s plan, if successful, would have reified Saul’s rejection before God. It also is possible that Saul would have been rejected by his soldiers and subjects. David was a popular figure and an untimely death at the hands of the king would have proved once and for all that Saul was incompetent as a leader. As Jonathan talked his father down from the proverbial edge, he saved whatever was left of Saul’s monarchial career. Jonathan had a thin line to walk, and he did so. He was able to simultaneously be loyal to David, his friend, and Saul, his father.

      Jonathan refused to remain silent while injustice attempted to play out in brutality. He could have just stood by and said nothing as his father, the king of Israel, became aggressive toward his own countryman for no reason. But he didn’t. Jonathan’s efforts paid off. His father listened and made a promise not to harm David—at least not for the moment. Jonathan later had to continue to plead for and protect David, even to his tragic death on the battlefield along with his father, the king. David mourned for them both and then assumed the throne of Israel. Later King David advocated for Jonathan’s family by adopting one of them—Mephibosheth—to remain with him in the king’s palace.

      A true friend advocates on behalf of his/her friends. True friendship is found in the words exchanged when the friend is not present. It is easy to speak well of another in his/her presence. However, it is difficult to speak well of those whose safety may put us in less than desirable positions. Jonathan was a friend beyond David’s earshot and eyesight. In this way, he demonstrated the kind of inclusive love that God desires of all His children. Jonathan’s intervention is reminiscent of Jesus’ sacrifice for all of God’s children. Even beyond Christ’s death on the cross, He serves as an advocate at the right hand of His Father, the King.

       How should friends intervene when it is clear their friend is wrong?

       LESSON SUMMARY

      It’s easy to read about the unresolved feelings and emotions of King Saul and not focus upon the love and devotion of Jonathan toward the innocence of David. David was devoted to the office of the king during the time Saul pursued him. Prior to that, David was loyal to Saul and his leadership. Both David and Jonathan sought to solve the challenges between the king and David. David sought to solve the challenge by less talk and wise behavior. He was wise as a serpent and humble as a lamb, and when necessary he simply stayed out of Saul’s way, especially when the king became homicidal toward him. But it was Jonathan who sought to be the go-between and advocate for an innocent man. Despite being the king’s son, Jonathan, spoke truth to power with courage. Whenever we find ourselves being positioned between loyalty and commitment to do what is right, we too can first seek to solve differences by reconciling opposing parties. As a person matures and embraces his/her values, he/she will act on the basis of transcendent values rather than on human loyalties. A young adult believer can respect their parents even when disagreeing with them. Believing parents, by the same token, can respect their adult children’s evolving values even when disagreeing with them. Would you be willing to take risks in serving as a liaison between people or groups at odds with each other? A true friend is one who skillfully intervenes in a conflict circumstance, seeking resolution on behalf of his/her friend.

LESSON.POINT DISCUSSION If you were in Jonathan’s position, would you be able to stand up for a friend or would you cower in the face of family loyalty and personal advancement? How would you approach the situation?

LIFE.POINT ACTION What do you say about your friends? When given the opportunity, speak well of others, especially in their absence. The measure of a friend is not found in those who speak well when the other is present. Only in absence is a true friend revealed.

      DEVOTIONAL READINGS — OCTOBER 5–11, 2020

       NOTES

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