Adult Christian Life. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

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СКАЧАТЬ Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.7 So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

      In the final verses of our lesson, the crisis was averted (for the moment). Saul listened to the reason of Jonathan, and with a broadened perspective and at least a momentary fear of God that outweighed his fear of David, he decided to call off the manhunt on David’s life. As soon as he heard his father promise to spare David’s life, Jonathan returned to David and delivered the good news. Promise kept. True friends always make every effort to keep their promises. The lesson ends with a beautiful picture of restoration with David returning to the palace and serving the king as if nothing had ever happened. David’s return to the palace was demonstrative of his loyalty and dedication to his friendship with Jonathan and the desire for greater service. His service to the king after receiving his pardon is a great lesson to close this scriptural exposition. After all, like David, we had drawn the wrath of a great King (God) and through the efforts of a Son (Jesus) we’ve received a pardon too! Now the King has made room for us in His Kingdom, and we all should serve to the best of our ability. Beloved of God, since our friend Jesus intervened for us, let us intervene for our friends and serve the Lord with rigor (Rom. 12:11).

      This story is one of the interesting narratives in which we discover the staunch differences between David the king after God’s own heart and Saul the king doomed from his coronation. Saul was willing to (continually tried to) kill David even though he had dealt Saul no ill action. In fact, David had been nothing but helpful to Saul. He fought his battles, married his daughter, and was as loyal to Saul as Lassie was to Timmy or Robin to Batman. On the other hand, as we will see with David, despite all of the offenses he’d suffered and would suffer from Saul, David refused to harm him even when he had the opportunity to do so. This suggests to us that the person God calls friend is long-suffering and leaves vengeance to its rightful owner, God (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). Throughout the story, we never see David or Jonathan seeking to deal any type of harm, be it direct physical violence or passive-aggressive violence like disrespect. Thus, while good godly friends intervene, we also must remember our intervention must be good and godly.

      Application & Review

       Remember It

      In today’s lesson, we encountered the bodacious wrath of King Saul as his jealousy and fear of David caused him to plot his execution. We also encountered the bold love of Jonathan who intervened on his friend David’s behalf. In Jonathan’s intervention, we discovered what friendship in action looks like. Good godly friendship warns friends of impending danger, plans for their welfare, speaks up and speaks well of friends, broadens our perspectives, chooses to do the right thing no matter the cost, and urges friends to stay away from sin.

       Share It • Live It • Hear It

       Lean on me, when you’re not strong

       And I’ll be your friend

       I’ll help you carry on

       For it won’t be long

       ’Til I’m gonna need

       Somebody to lean on

      Listen to the relevant message of this week’s lesson through “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers.

      This lesson is all about friendship. Let us take note of our friendships and resolve to emulate the examples we have in the Word. Think of one friend you have and make it your business to put some aspect of friendship in action into practice this week.

      Jonathan’s actions toward David did more than save David, they helped secure salvation for the world. God promised a Messiah, a Savior, who would come from David’s loins. Thus, when Jonathan saved David with his selfless intervention, he helped procure eternal salvation for us all.

       #TrueFriendship

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       DDR

      Devotional Readings for October 5–11, 2020

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NOTES

Bible Study for Week of October 11, 2020

Lesson 2

       OVERCOMING SELF-INTEREST

BACKGROUND PASSAGE: LUKE 6:27–36

PRINT PASSAGE: LUKE 6:27–36

      RESOURCES: New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition, Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

      KEY VERSE: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27–28, KJV

       Intro

      You likely have heard the phrase “act like you have some home training.” Most know exactly what that means. It’s the warning we got from our guardians whenever we ventured from home, especially when we were out of their sight. Our parents issued that warning to us out of love, but also to make sure we didn’t embarrass them. This phrase and others like it are a way for parents to be present even when they cannot be seen by their children. It is a reminder that rings in the heads of children, especially when they are about to engage in behavior that would not be befitting of proper character.

      Beloved of God, there is nowhere we ever could venture on the face СКАЧАТЬ