CHILDREN LESSON 6 JONATHAN’S COVENANT WITH DAVID

1 Samuel 20:1-42

 

Jonathan and David were close friends. Their friendship was very strong. They were loving and loyal to each other. Their kind of closeness could be used as the standard for measuring true friendship. Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and was supposed to be the heir to the throne of Israel. David on the other hand was the youngest son of his father who was not a king but a farmer. David and Jonathan became friends after David defeated the giant called Goliath who was the champion of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel.

King Saul became jealous of David because the women sang the praises of David after he killed

Goliath. Have you ever been jealous of your friends? Jealousy is a feeling of unhappiness when you see the prosperity or success of others. How do you react when your friend is commended and you are not? Are you happy when others

get new clothes, shoes and toys while you receive nothing? These situations can make you jealous. When you realise that you envy your friends, ask God to help you to stop being jealous and envious.

King Saul’s hatred for David was so bad that he tried to kill David over and over again. Jonathan was a true friend and was never jealous of David. He tried to make peace between David and his father but did not succeed. Yet, he continued his friendship with David and even

made covenant with him. Jesus seeks to make friends with all sinful boys and girls. Come to Him now and He will receive you.

 

1. JONATHAN’S FRIENDSHIP WITH DAVID:

1 Samuel 20:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:12

When David realised that Saul actually wanted to kill him, he asked Jonathan to present his case before Saul and try to make peace between him and Saul. David knew that his friend, Jonathan, would never hurt him. God allowed David to face these trials so as to prepare him for his future role as king. As friends of

Jesus, God sometimes allows trials to: (a) Help us develop godly character such as love, joy, peace, self-control and longsuffering. (b) Strengthen us to move ahead and not be discouraged. (c) Make us not to go astray (d) Help us to depend

and trust in God (e) Prepare us to inherit eternal life.

At rst, Jonathan did not believe that his father wanted to kill David. But David convinced him that it was true. The next day was the new moon. David being part of Saul’s household was expected to be present to partake of the feast with King Saul. Saul was very angry at David’s absence. Jonathan knew that protecting David might cost him his future throne, even his life. But he was willing to risk his kingdom for his friend, David.

As friends of Jesus, we must be willing to risk everything for Him. Serve Him with all your heart, soul and spirit and strive to bring the lost back to the Saviour.

 

 

 

2. JONATHAN’S COVENANT WITH DAVID:

1 Samuel 20:11-24

Jonathan knew that the case between David and his father was very serious; so, he met David and they made some plans secretly. Jonathan believed David would survive and one day become the king of Israel. He was not jealous. When

God is using other children to do His work, pray for them instead of being jealous. Jonathan had certain qualities that made him a trustworthy friend. (a) He had a loyal heart (b) He was very loving, “He loved David like himself”. (c) He was steadfast and faithful to tell David about his father’s intentions. (d) Jonathan had faith in God. Himself and his friend David had common faith in God. Who is your best friend? The Bible says evil communication corrupts good

manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Your bosom friends must be children of God. Together, you can encourage one another and serve God acceptably.

Jonathan realised that David will surely become the king of Israel. He made covenant with him. He asked that David show kindness to his children and their families forever. “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies” (1 Samuel 20:16). It was a solemn agreement between both of them.

In later years, after the death of Saul and Jonathan, David remembered the covenant. He brought the son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth to live and eat with him in his palace (2 Samuel 9:1-13). Covenant is a special agreement that must be obeyed by both parties. God expects u s t o c o m e i n t o a c o v e n a n t relationship with Him and serve Him in Spirit and truth. This should be the desire of every child.

 

3. JESUS EVERLASTIONG COVENANT WITH HIS FRIENDS:

1 Samuel 20:16,42; Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:16; 15:13-15

As a good friend, Jonathan risked his own life to save David from the wrath of Saul. Jesus showed greater love than Jonathan by laying down His life to die in our place and redeem us from punishments for sin (John 15:13).

God is a loving Father; He does not want any child to perish and suffer in hell re. Therefore, He made provision by sending His only begotten Son to die for us. Jesus is a loving Friend; He paid the price for our salvation. For a sinner to enjoy this provision, he must rst realise that he is a sinner. Repent and confess all his sins. Ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the best Friend you must have. Whenever you have any problem, turn to Jesus and He will always be there for you. Even when your loved ones forsake you, Jesus will always love you. Jesus died to save you from sin and eternal death. Invite Him to come into your heart to be your Saviour and Friend. This step will bring the sinner into a loving relationship with Christ. He

now has the assurance of escaping from eternal death to live with Jesus in heaven forever.

 

QUESTIONS:

1. _______ was the rst son of King Saul.
2. Why did God allow David to go through these trials?
3. What was the content of Jonathan’s covenant with David?
4. Jonathan had some special qualities, mention three of them.
5. What did Jesus do for His friends?
6. How can a sinful child come into a covenant relationship with Jesus?

 

MEMORY VERSE: “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies”

(1 Samuel 20:16).

 

LESSON: Jesus Christ has paid the price to bring us into a loving relationship with Himself.

 

THOUGHT: I surrender my life to Jesus so as to be qualied to escape eternal death.

 

ACTIVITY: Children should be shared into two groups to discuss: (i) The type of friends to keep. (ii) The kind of friends to avoid.

 

HOMEWORK: Read Mark 15:22-25 and write out what Jesus did to save sinners from death.

 

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 129 – GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN

 

CHORUSES: (1) Jesus conquered the world and gave us victory. (2) Jesus died on the cross. (3) I have decided to follow Jesus.

 

 

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:

1. Jealousy 2. Heir 3. Develop 4. Convince 5. Loyal.