NEW PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR August 4, 2019 : TOPIC – A Covenant Between Friends

By | August 3, 2019

NEW PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR August 4, 2019 : TOPIC – A Covenant Between Friends

                                                                 

 

Lesson 10 (KJV)

A Covenant Between Friends

Devotional Reading: John 15:12–17

Background Scripture: 1 Samuel 18–20

1 Samuel 18:1–5

1. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

2. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

3. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

4. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

5. And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

1 Samuel 19:1–7

1. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

2. But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

3. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

4. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

5. For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

6. And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.

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.

Key Verse

The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

—1 Samuel 18:1

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Retell the story of the friendship between Jonathan and David.

2. Describe the significance of the covenant between Jonathan and David.

3. Make a plan to be a better Christ-honoring friend to another person.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A.  Promise Keepers

B.  Lesson Context

   I. A Covenant Made (1 Samuel 18:1–5)

A.  United in Friendship (v. 1)

BFFs

B.  Bound in Service (v. 2)

C.  Formed in Love (vv. 3, 4)

The Meaning of Gifts

D.  Sent in Service (v. 5)

II. A Covenant Observed (1 Samuel 19:1–7)

A.  A Plot (v. 1)

B.  A Plan (vv. 2, 3)

C.  A Defense (vv. 4, 5)

D.  A Promise (v. 6)

E.   A Reunion (v. 7)

Conclusion

A.  Covenant Keepers

B.  Prayer

C.  Thought to Remember

Introduction

A. Promise Keepers

In the 1990s, the Promise Keepers organization took Christian men by storm in the U.S. Tens of thousands from many backgrounds‌—different denominations, different races and ethnicities, even non-Christians—would drive hundreds of miles to fill football stadiums to praise God together in song, prayer, and preaching. The key theme of the movement was integrity. A Christian man should be a man of his word: a promise keeper to God, family, friends, acquaintances, and everyone else.

Of course, this directive is not just for men. All God’s people need to be promise keepers. Spouses need to keep commitments to each other. Children and parents must build trust by keeping their word. Employers and employees must act in accordance with hiring agreements. We can learn from those who went before us how to keep faith in our relationships.

B. Lesson Context

In the Christian arrangement of the books of the Old Testament, 1 and 2 Samuel are included with the historical books (Joshua–Esther). They record the transition from theocracy (being governed by the Lord) to monarchy (being governed by an earthly king). The books of 1 and 2 Samuel can be divided into these sections:

•     The end of the period of the judges (1 Samuel 1–8)

•     The Lord’s selection and rejection of Saul, Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9–15)

•     The Lord’s selection of David and the fall of Saul (1 Samuel 16–31)

•     The establishment of David’s throne (2 Samuel 1–10)

•     The sin of David and consequent flight from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11–18)

•     The reestablishment of David in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19, 20)

•     The legacy of David (2 Samuel 21–24)

Samuel is a pivotal figure in the history of Israel, being the last of the judges and the first of the prophets (see Acts 3:24; 13:20). The Israelites, tired of the abuses of Samuel’s sons, demanded that Samuel give them an earthly king “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:1–5). This flew in the face of God’s desire for Israel to be a priestly, holy nation under His rule (Exodus 19:6; 1 Samuel 12:12–16).

The Lord required Samuel to proclaim the negative consequences of becoming like the nations by having an earthly king (1 Samuel 8:11–18), but He still chose to grant their request. The Lord selected Saul, but Saul did not faithfully carry out the Lord’s commands (13:7–14; 15). Thus the Lord instructed Samuel to tell Saul of His rejection and then to anoint David to be Saul’s heir even while Saul still lived (13:14; 16:1).

I. A Covenant Made

(1 Samuel 18:1–5)

King Saul met David for the first time during a confrontation with the Philistines. Young David killed the giant Goliath, leading to a rout of Israel’s enemies (1 Samuel 17:1–54). After this great victory, Saul met with David, who formally identified himself as the son of Jesse from Bethlehem (17:55–58). Jonathan, son of Saul, also had seen David’s victory over Goliath and presumably was present when David appeared before the king.

A. United in Friendship (v. 1)

1. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

And it came to pass often marks the beginning of a new story or a new scene in a larger story. Here it marks the shift from the scene in Saul’s court following the death of Goliath to the friendship and covenant between Jonathan and David.

The word translated soul occurs three times in this verse. Though it has a relatively wide range of meaning, here it most nearly means “self,” one’s whole being. With so many nuances, however, there is no reason that the writer could not also intend the reader to note other meanings. For instance, soulcan also be used to contrast with body to include the will and emotions (Isaiah 10:18). This would suggest that Jonathan loves David with his innermost being. The word soul can also refer to the life of a creature, suggesting that Jonathan loves David forcefully, as though his life depends on it (Deuteronomy 19:21; Isaiah 56:11). In short, Jonathan loves David as he loves himself.

The word knit is the same verb that is translated “bound up in” in Genesis 44:30, describing the relationship between Jacob and his youngest son, Benjamin. Similarly, Jonathan’s soul, both will and emotion, is bound to David’s soul. This speaks to the commitment of one to the other. Their allegiance is not created merely out of a sense of duty but out of deep emotional and even spiritual attachment.

Together these two Hebrew words soul and knit demonstrate the genuineness and intensity of the bond between the two men. Though this verse focuses on Jonathan’s affection for David, other texts make clear that the feeling is mutual (see 1 Samuel 20:42; 2 Samuel 1:26; 21:7).

BFFs

In the shorthand lingo of modern social media, BFF stands for “best friends forever.” Earlier generations talked about “soul mates.” Both terms refer to pairs of people who seem so perfectly matched psychologically and emotionally that they understand each other almost intuitively. Though many examples are fictional, taken especially from love stories, BFFs can also be found in the real world. Some marriages are examples of this; others find their BFF in lifelong friendship.

David and Jonathan seem to have been BFFs. They were united in spirit more deeply than just enjoying each other’s presence; they were united in what they knew to be best for God’s people. Jonathan was the heir apparent of King Saul, but he later comes to accept that God had chosen another man to put on the throne. The best BFFs, like Jonathan and David, are united in wanting what God wants. How does your BFF relationship spur you on to serving the Lord?

—C. R. B.

What Do You Think?

How can we ensure that our friendships are genuine and not simply founded in a desire for gain of some sort?

 

Digging Deeper

Under what circumstances, if any, would it be appropriate to draw up a general rule of friendships that is based on a single bad experience with a “fair-weather friend”? Why?

 

B. Bound in Service (v. 2)

2. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

This verse interrupts the story of Jonathan and David to briefly resume the story of Saul’s action regarding David. The Hebrew word translated took can suggest choosing or selecting—as in Isaiah 44:14, in which certain trees were selected but not removed. This is the idea here; Saul selects David for a place in his court.

The second clause elaborates on what it means for Saul to take David. The king values David’s contributions in his court and military and so requires him to remain by the king’s side. This marks the end of David’s career as a shepherd (but see 2 Samuel 24:17; Ezekiel 34:20–24 regarding David as a shepherd of God’s people).

C. Formed in Love (vv. 3, 4)

3. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

There are two types of formal covenants: those between equals and those between a superior and an inferior. The most significant covenants in the Old Testament are made between people and the Lord (examples: Genesis 9:17; 17:1–22; 2 Samuel 7:1–16). Covenants between various people also occur: states and their representatives, kings and their subjects, military leaders and their soldiers, and individuals. Within the last category we see marriage portrayed as a covenant between a husband and a wife.

The covenant between Jonathan and David can be argued as one of power imbalance because Jonathan is the son of the king. A strong case can also be made that this covenant is made between equals. Jonathan and David clearly share mutual love (see commentary on 1 Samuel 18:1).

4. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

Formal covenants in the ancient Near East are comprised of distinct parts. These may be enumerated as follows: (1) identification of the giver; (2) the historical prologue; (3) stipulations of the participants; (4) storing and public reading; (5) witnesses of the covenant; (6) blessings for keeping and curses for violating the covenant terms; (7) a ceremony for ratification including a verbal affirmation; and (8) sanctions pronounced on a violator of the covenant terms.

Our passage describes only one of the elements of a covenant, the ceremonial act: Jonathan’s giving David garments (see a similar act in Genesis 41:41–43). These probably represent various aspects of his royal status. The Hebrew word translated robe is an outer garment worn by people of status. That Hebrew word is also translated variously as “mantle” as we see wearing it such people as priests (Exodus 28:4), prophets (1 Samuel 15:27), royalty (1 Samuel 24:4; 2 Samuel 13:18), the wealthy (Job 1:20), and government officials (Ezra 9:3).

The sword and bow are weapons of warfare. The girdle is used to bind up the tunic so that one can be ready for freer movement, especially in battle (Psalm 45:3), and to carry the sheath for the sword (2 Samuel 20:8). Giving these items is more than a symbol of friendship; it is a pledge of Jonathan’s military loyalty to David.

The Meaning of Gifts

Gifts can take on many different meanings based on any number of different circumstances. Sometimes gifts express gratitude, as when dinner guests bring flowers in appreciation for the invitation they have received. Other gifts are meant to manipulate, like when merchandisers offer free items to entice us to buy something. Then there are Christmas and birthday gifts which may be genuine gifts of love or, in some cases, merely offered because it is customary to give something on those occasions even though the giver has no significant connection to the recipient. Sometimes gifts are used to confirm a relationship. The presentation of a diamond engagement ring confirms the love a couple has for one another and the commitment to continue growing in love together.

Jonathan’s gifts to David confirmed his loving commitment. Jonathan saw in David a true friend. By his gifts, Jonathan was saying, “I pledge my friendship and loyalty to you.” Like Jonathan, we can and should give gifts that honor our promises to our loved ones. What gifts will you give to honor yours?

—C. R. B.

What Do You Think?

What could be some modern equivalents of the way Jonathan expressed friendship with David? Why?

 

Digging Deeper

Think of nonmaterial things as well as tangible objects. Be prepared to explain the nature of the equivalence.

 

D. Sent in Service (v. 5)

5. And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

This verse concludes the scene between Jonathan and David and summarizes the information that follows (1 Samuel 18:6, 7, not in today’s text). David’s wise behavior shows that the Lord has blessed him. Wisdom is frequently contrasted with foolishness in the Bible—with the assumption that God both gives wisdom and blesses those who demonstrate it (1 Samuel 13:13; Proverbs 1:7; 3:35; Matthew 7:24–27; etc.). as long as he acts wisely, David can expect to continue to be successful in his service not only to the king but also to the Lord.

The people accept David and approve of Saul’s decision to send him out to fight their battles. David’s forays habitually result in success (1 Samuel 18:30; 2 Samuel 5:2). Emphasizing that everyone, even Saul and his court, accepts David foreshadows the conflict to come.

II. A Covenant Observed

(1 Samuel 19:1–7)

After the events in 1 Samuel 18:1–5, all seems well. The situation begins to fall apart as Saul grows jealous of David due to the adoration of the nation (1 Samuel 18:7, 8) and as an evil spirit torments Saul (18:10). The king twice attempts to kill David (18:11). But no matter how Saul schemes, the Lord is with David and keeps him safe (18:12–30).

A. A Plot (v. 1)

1. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

We see again the nature of Saul’s fear and jealousy. Notice the progression. First, Saul personally tried to end David’s life (1 Samuel 18:10, 11). Then Saul tried to achieve the same result by stealth (18:17). Now Saul openly tells his son and all his servants that they should kill David.

B. A Plan (vv. 2, 3)

2, 3. But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: and I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

This verse emphasizes Jonathan’s positive regard for David, in spite of all the paranoia evident in King Saul, Jonathan’s father. The covenant that Jonathan has made with David prevents him from obeying his father’s orders to kill David. This puts Jonathan in a difficult situation. In order to save his friend, he has to disobey his father. And the king can certainly punish his son any way he sees fit for such an act of rebellion!

Jonathan chooses to honor his covenant with David and makes a plan to protect him. David is told to hide himself in a secret place in a certain field, presumably where Saul commonly goes (see 1 Samuel 20:5, 19). Then Jonathan will do two things. First, he will go out with his father, and then he will commune with Saul about David. This is to gauge Saul’s reaction to the conversation in order to report it to David (see 20:12).

C. A Defense (vv. 4, 5)

4a. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David;

Jonathan’s gives his exhortation in the third person (let not the king), which is meant to be deferential rather than commanding. He begins by exhorting his father not to sin against … David (see 1 Samuel 20:32). Though sin is usually understood as an offense against God alone, those sins against God are frequently also sins against other people (Genesis 42:22; Exodus 10:16; 1 Corinthians 8:12; etc.). Sinning against David would mean bringing him to harm. Jonathan emphasizes his earnest plea using forms of the word sin three times in short order while speaking to his father (see 1 Samuel 19:5).

Jonathan’s address of his father as the king speaks also to the honor and responsibility of that position. The king must do what is right in the eyes of the Lord (Deuteronomy 17:14–20). Jonathan fulfills the command to argue for justice that the king should fulfill (Proverbs 21:8; Jeremiah 18:20).

Referring to David as the king’s servant makes clear the difference in power and status between those two. But even though the king has the power to do as he pleases with and to his servant, the king must honor the Lord in all decisions. David is loyal to the king, and it would be evil to harm a loyal servant (see 1 Samuel 22:14; 25:21; Proverbs 17:13).

4b, 5a. Because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice:

Jonathan gives an insurmountable reason for not harming David: David has done no wrong to King Saul—quite the opposite, in fact! Evidence of David’s very good work is recounted in that he risked his life in killing the Philistine giant Goliath (17:50, 51). The result from the Lord was a great salvation for all Israel (17:52, 53). Jonathan then reminds his father, who was an eyewitness to all this, that he didst rejoice when it all happened.

5b. Wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Jonathan concludes his argument by returning to his beginning exhortation and turning it into the rhetorical question we see here. A rhetorical question is designed to make a point rather than get an answer.

The answer itself is obvious: the king should not slay David without a cause because then the king himself would become guilty and deserving of death (Deuteronomy 19:10–13). The term blood is often used metaphorically of the life force (compare Genesis 9:4 for “life” and 42:22 for “death”). Here blood refers to David’s manner of living. Jonathan describes David’s blood, or actions, as innocentbecause David has acted faithfully as a servant in the court of Saul. David has never given Saul any reason for Saul’s anger.

What Do You Think?

What are some ways we can act to defend an innocent friend without jeopardizing our own credibility in the process?

 

Digging Deeper

What types of situations might call us not to defend a friend, either to protect ourselves or to do what is ultimately best for the friend in question? And if there are limits to loyalty, what are they?

 

D. A Promise (v. 6)

6. And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.

Jonathan’s argument has the desired effect. Hearkened unto means both to hear and to act in accordance with what is heard, as when the Lord told Abraham to “hearken unto [Sarah’s] voice” (Genesis 21:12). Similarly, the exodus from Egypt was initiated because God not only heard but acted on the groaning of the children of Israel (Exodus 2:24, 25).

Saul’s obedience to the voice of Jonathan culminates in making a vow in the name of the Lord: David shall not be slain. Making vows is equivalent to making a covenant (Deuteronomy 4:31). The Lord expects the king to keep his vow (Numbers 30:2; see also Matthew 5:33–37). Deuteronomy 23:21–23 declares that vows must be kept, while Ecclesiastes 5:4–6 reminds the reader that breaking a vow angers the Lord. By swearing that David will live, Saul binds himself to do all in his power to protect David.

What Do You Think?

What are some techniques to keep a vouching-for situation from resulting in more emotional “heat” than the “light” of facts and reason?

 

Digging Deeper

Should you focus on reducing emotional “heat” (and run the risk of appearing defensive) or on increasing the “light” of reason (and run the risk of allowing emotional characterizations to stick)?

 

E. A Reunion (v. 7)

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.

David emerges from his prearranged hiding place after hearing the proper signal. Jonathan informs him of Saul’s change of heart and as a result David is in Saul’s presence as in times past. This phrase calls back to mind how well David and Saul had worked together initially. David’s service in Saul’s court is no less valuable than his military service (1 Samuel 16:14–23; 18:13; 19:8). At least for the time being, Saul desires that David live and thrive in the king’s court as before (but contrast 19:9–15; 20:31, 33).

What Do You Think?

If a church were to have a ministry to reconcile conflicts between friends and family members, what would such a ministry look like?

 

Digging Deeper

Consider further how churches in a given area could band together to do this.

 

Conclusion

A. Covenant Keepers

His covenant with David put Jonathan in a difficult situation. When he learned of the king’s unjust plot on his closest friend, he risked (at best) alienation from his father and (at worst) death. Nevertheless, Jonathan was true to his covenant with David without being disloyal to his father, reconciling Saul and David. The Lord is pleased when we are covenant-keepers. That’s true for simple promises, such as being on time for dinner, or major ones, such as honoring marriage vows.

C. Prayer

Dear Lord, help us follow Jonathan’s example of keeping covenant as we are faithful to the promises we make. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

D. Thought to Remember

Honoring covenants, commitments, and contracts honors the Lord.

Visual for Lesson 10. Point to this visual as you ask what elements your learners see that they experience or desire to experience in friendships.[1]

August 11

Lesson 11 (KJV)

A Mother-Daughter Covenant

Devotional Reading: Ruth 4:13–17

Background Scripture: Ruth 1:1–18

Ruth 1:6–11, 14–18

6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.

 

7. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

 

8. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

 

9. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

 

11. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

14. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

 

15. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

 

16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

 

17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

 

18. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

Key Verse

Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.—Ruth 1:16

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Recall the dramatic account of Ruth’s decision to go with Naomi from Moab to Israel.

 

2. Explain how the historical context influenced the decisions of Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah.

 

3. Develop a plan to assist someone who is experiencing loss and/or loneliness.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A.  A Selfless Act

B.  Lesson Context: Period of the Judges

C.  Lesson Context: Non-Israelites

I. First Plea (Ruth 1:6–10)

A.  Return to Judah (vv. 6, 7)

B.  Return to Moab (vv. 8, 9)

Setting Our Children Free

C.  Widows’ Resolution (v. 10)

II. Second Plea (Ruth 1:11, 14)

A.  Widow’s Desperation (v. 11)

B.  Daughter’s Departure (v. 14)

III. Third Plea (Ruth 1:15–18)

A.  Mother’s Counsel (v. 15)

B.  Daughter’s Resolution (vv. 16–18)

Permanent Stickiness

Conclusion

A.  A Selfless Life

B.  Prayer

C.  Thought to Remember[2]

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“Suggestions for families are taken from Standardlesson.com,

Standard Publishing Group, LLC. Used with permission. More resources for families are available at Standardpub.com.

God Bless

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