READ: 1
SAMUEL 18:1-4
“I am distressed for
you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me
was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” (2 Samuel 1:26). After the death of Jonathan,
David lamented him greatly. He recalled the fact that they had made a covenant
and loved each other very much. Jonathan was king Saul’s son. One reason king
Saul wanted to kill David was that he feared David might succeed him as king
instead of his son, but Jonathan wanted David to rule before him (1 Samuel
20:30-34). Jonathan gave David his robe, garments, sword, bow and girdle. A
robe is worn for ornament. Garments help to prevent cold. The sword is for
fighting and the bow for hunting. In those days, the girdle was where you put
your treasure before tying it around your waist for safety.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1). The love between Jonathan and David was great, yet the love God has for you is far greater. It is unsurpassable! When you come to God in repentance, the first thing he does is clothe you with salvation. Even after their fall, God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve before sending them out of Eden. Since then, no matter how bad your sins are, if you return in true repentance, God will cover your nakedness!
Jonathan gave David his sword and bow, but according to Ephesians 6:10-17, God offers you his full armour. Jonathan did not give David his shoes (Ruth 4:7). In those days, shoes were worn only by sons, not servants. Jonathan’s refusal to release his shoes to David meant that although they were friends, their friendship had a limit. But thank God that in Christ, we are made sons forever. Jesus clothes us in the Gospel boots that enable us to be a victorious over Satan. When Jonathan died, so did his love for David. But Jesus loves us to the end. He never dies. And he has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven so that we can live with him forever! (John 14:1-3). The love of Jesus for you is unsurpassable. Do you reciprocate that love?
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1). The love between Jonathan and David was great, yet the love God has for you is far greater. It is unsurpassable! When you come to God in repentance, the first thing he does is clothe you with salvation. Even after their fall, God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve before sending them out of Eden. Since then, no matter how bad your sins are, if you return in true repentance, God will cover your nakedness!
Jonathan gave David his sword and bow, but according to Ephesians 6:10-17, God offers you his full armour. Jonathan did not give David his shoes (Ruth 4:7). In those days, shoes were worn only by sons, not servants. Jonathan’s refusal to release his shoes to David meant that although they were friends, their friendship had a limit. But thank God that in Christ, we are made sons forever. Jesus clothes us in the Gospel boots that enable us to be a victorious over Satan. When Jonathan died, so did his love for David. But Jesus loves us to the end. He never dies. And he has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven so that we can live with him forever! (John 14:1-3). The love of Jesus for you is unsurpassable. Do you reciprocate that love?
MEMORIZE:
2 SAMUEL 1:26 –I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very
pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
