It’s a new week of Bible reading if you are following the 2024 DUMC Bible Reading Plan. This week, we are reading chapters 20 and 21 of 1 Sam, and Psalms 11, 56, and 34.
We will find 1 Sam 20 and 21 offer a powerful contrast, showcasing the strength of loyalty and the consequences of misplaced trust. Let’s dive into 1 Sam 20 today.
We read about the unwavering friendship and loyalty between David and Jonathan which defied even pressures from the family. These two BFFs established their precious friendship with an oath and promised to keep each other safe, no matter what.
King Saul set his mind to kill David. Jonathan knew his intention and he was determined to protect him. Saul was aware. He scolded his son and warned him not to try to save David. Saul even extended his anger to Jonathan’s mother, Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz and he threatened not to pass the throne to him.
Despite all these, Jonathan did not waver a bit. He came up with a plan to keep David alive.
In Chinese, there is a saying. 认理不认人、帮里不帮亲，水大漫不过船，手大遮不住天。It means to side with reason but not with people, you cannot cover up everything. The first part advised us to support reason and not relationship. The second part tells us not to be arrogant and think we can hide anything.
Take for example, if a child did something wrong, we need to teach him so he understands, and he will not repeat it. On the other hand, if we say, he is still young, he is so cute, don’t scold him, we are doing him a disservice. That is like seeing a person walking towards an incoming car and stay silent because he is so gentle. A person can be polite, smiling, charming, nice, dashing, beautiful, glamourous, and still be wrong. Do not overlook the mistake for the other things you see.
Jonathan faced the wrath of his father. He did not keep silent. He questioned his father’s reason for wanting to kill David. He knew there was no valid reasons. He did not keep quiet because that was his father. He did not blindly obey because that was the man who can potentially make him the next king.
True friends stand by you through thick and thin. Cultivating genuine friendships based on trust and loyalty is rewarding. While you treasure your true friends, please be a true friend to your true friends, be someone they can rely on,
Application: Cultivate genuine friendships built on trust and loyalty. Be someone others can rely on, and cherish the bonds that enrich your life. When facing external pressures, prioritize the values that bind you to true friends. build a bond they cherish and establish mutual support. We must be honest even when it’s challenging. A true friend is honest to you. When they see something wrong, when they see warning signs, they tell you. They make sure you are well. Choose integrity over deception. Any short-term gains from dishonesty come with a long-term cost.
When was the last time someone sought your help? Whan was the last time you were honest with your friends?
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