1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-6
Chapter 18: 1-4
When David finished talking with Saul, Jonathan felt very close to David. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Saul kept David with him from that day on. He did not let David go home to his father’s house. Jonathan made an agreement with David. He did this because he loved David as much as himself. He took off his coat and gave it to David. He also gave David his uniform, including his sword, bow and belt.
Chapter 19 : 1-6
Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan cared very much for David. So he warned David, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Watch out in the morning. Hide in a secret place. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are hiding. I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll let you know what I find out.”
Jonathan talked to Saul his father. He said good things about David. Jonathan said, “You are the king. Don’t do wrong to your servant David. He did nothing wrong to you. What he did has helped you greatly. David risked his life when he killed Goliath the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and you were happy. Why would you do wrong against David? He’s innocent. There’s no reason to kill him!”
Saul listened to Jonathan. Then he made this promise: “As surely as the Lord lives, David won’t be put to death.”
Discussion Questions
- Who was Jonathan’s friend? David
- Who was Jonathan’s father? King Saul
- What did King Saul want to do to David? He wanted to kill David
- This made Jonathan very sad. What did Jonathan do to help his friend? He talked to his father telling him David did nothing wrong and please don’t kill him.
- Did King Saul listen to Jonathan? Yes
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you teaching us about the friendship between David and Jonathan. Please help us to love our friends at all times. Amen
Bible Verse for August
“A friend loves at all times.”
Proverbs 17:17a
Outdoor Family Fun
Take a walk to a local park. On the way to the park talk about what a friend is, how to treat a friend, and how to introduce yourself to a new friend. When you arrive at the park help your child to include other children and to take turns on the playground equipment.
Homespun Idea
Help your child color a picture or write a letter to a friend. Then mail the picture or letter to the friend’s home. Discuss how it is important to be kind to our friends and do nice things for them. Explain how excited their friend will be when they open their special piece of mail.
Daily Challenge
This week your child learned that a friend loves at all times. He or she committed to one of the following challenges to thank God for their friends. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!
- Encourage your child to give one compliment to a friend each day.
- He or she will share toys with a friend and will let their friend have the first turn.
- Find a book about friendship in your house, or ask a parent to take you to the library. Thank God for making friends.
- Invite a friend to church.
