2 Samuel 9:1 “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

The last few posts of mine have had to do with a story found in 2 Samuel 9 in the Holy Bible. And for this last one on this story, I was going to write about Ziba, but it opened up a completely different way once I’ve sat down to write!

In this chapter, we read about king David honouring a promise he had made to his friend Jonathan… he had promised to always show his love and goodness to Jonathan’s lineage.

Thank God that his promises to us in Christ Jesus are “always”… they are permanent, everlasting, irrevocable, they have no expiry date, just as David’s promise to Jonathan. God doesn’t forget, neither should we! “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”

And so these two became permanently connected by covenant… a bit like us as Christians, we are connected to God by a promise he has made to us of forgiveness of sins, everlasting life, home in heaven, and eternal purpose in Christ Jesus. It’s a pretty good deal for us!

Jonathan had admired David from the moment the stone sunk in the giants forehead, with the power of God inspiring God’s armies to victory… Jesus victory on the cross should be enough for you!… and Jonathan knew David would be king… even though it didn’t maybe look like it at the time given how unpopular David and being associated with David was fast becoming!

I hope you’re not ashamed of Jesus Christ. There are lots of private believers these days, lots in dens and caves and keeping a low profile, but “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” And you wouldn’t be ashamed if you could see him for who he is. Eternal life is knowing God, not knowing about him or living a life of theoretical Christianity. Sure, the world doesn’t see him quite yet, and cannot… but you can… but it won’t be flesh and blood that reveals God’s Son to you.

But Jonathan’s choice of David, and to align himself with David at the expense of his own personal prospects… after all, theoretically he was in line for himself to be king!… it was controversial to say the least! “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

But Jonathan perhaps didn’t realize just how controversial this covenant would prove to be close to home. Because his choice of David caused a lot of family drama, and especially put him at odds with his own father, Saul!

…When you choose Jesus, and put him first, when he is your king, that makes the god of this world unhappy, and will make the journey bumpy, and no more the case than in your own family. As Jesus said “And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Jonathan definitely experienced this, and be sure you will to if you choose Christ.

Jonathan spent a lot of time and effort appealing to his dad regarding David, but Saul had rejected God’s word and thus also rejected God’s anointed… when you reject the Bible, you also reject Jesus Christ. There is no such thing as serving or loving Christ while disobeying his word.

But Jonathan couldn’t believe his dad could be so illogical when it came to David, after all, David had never wronged him, David had won battles for him and even saved face for him… and yet Saul had murder in his heart for David.

… that’s how illogical it is to be against Jesus Christ in your life. It makes no sense. What has he done wrong to you for you to hate him and anyone that represents him to you so much? “And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?”

And it wasn’t because David had a fault, it was because Saul had an evil spirit. That’s where the true problem always lies, it’s a spiritual war going on. And tensions heightened as Jonathan’s choice infuriated Saul. And Saul’s fury against David then spilled out against Jonathan also, and the same javelin he had tried to spear David with he tried to spear his own son with. When you have a problem with Jesus Christ, you have a problem with Christians, and you’ll not even be able to treat your loved ones right!

But none of this put Jonathan off David. He knew and was convinced of David, and God lets the drama of choosing Jesus prove us. It’s good for us to face some adversity. Something that costs you nothing isn’t valuable to you, but if you pay a lot for something, you’ll treat that special won’t you!

And you talk about good decisions in life, well this was an excellent decision Jonathan made and held to. Because this promise not only was valid in life, but also in death. Not even death separated Jonathan from David’s promise! God’s promises to us reach beyond death!

Remember this… Jesus can do more for you than anyone and anything else can, to sell him out for short term favour with “man” is very short sighted. Favour of man is fickle people! And to gain friendships at the expense of Christ rather than because of Christ is hardly an advancement in life. …Remember the only day these two got along anyone? “And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.”

And so in this post, I want to encourage your friendship with God and children of God! Stop seeing God as your enemy! Although there is an enmity until you are reconciled through Christ. But do you want true friends? …God will give you true friends! …the best friend you can have in life is Jesus Christ, and friendships in Christ.

Who is the friend of Christ? Many claim to be a friend of Christ, but their allegiance and truth of their love is as real as Judas’ kiss on Jesus cheek. … Jesus Christ told us who his true friends are “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Abraham was called the friend of God because he did what God told him to do. If you were a friend of God it wouldn’t be such a struggle and battle to obey him!

… but yes, it does also show us that most people are not friends of Christ, they’re not friendly to God’s word, they’re not friendly to Christians living for God! We know actions prove friendship, and how much more in this matter! But choose friendship with God, remember, Saul eventually got Jonathan killed… there’s a lot riding on who you choose, and what eternal promise of friendship with God through Christ you will or won’t leave this world with!

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