Finding Family: How God Connects Us in Unexpected WaysНамуна

Day 3: A Scrappy Shepherd and a Prince

David was ushered into an unexpected meeting with royalty after successfully killing Goliath with a slingshot and stone. But the friendship that followed between two unlikely people is one for the record books.

When Jonathan, the oldest son of King Saul, first met David the connection between them was immediate. The friendship between the wiry young shepherd and the prince grew as David became part of Saul’s court. The two forged a bond that was akin to family: “And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt” (1 Sam. 18:3-4, NLT). In handing over to David symbols of his royalty and military power, Jonathan was likely making a statement of loyalty to his own father’s rival.

Saul, enraged over David’s popularity with the people, grew determined to kill David but Jonathan repeatedly intervened, eventually warning David to flee for his life. Before David disappeared, Jonathan had one final request: “And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die, treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth” (1 Sam. 20: 14-15, NLT).

Time didn’t dull David’s commitment to the friend who’d become like a brother. Years after Jonathan died and David took the throne, David found his old friend’s only remaining son, Mephibosheth. Instead of killing the last of Saul’s family—a potential threat to his own rule—David kept the vow he’d made. 

“‘Don’t be afraid!’ David said. ‘I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!’” (2 Sam. 9:7, NLT).

Things to Ponder:

• How did people view David versus King Saul? What does that tell us about David?
• Why did David keep his promise to Jonathan? Is there a promise you need to keep?
• What principles from David and Jonathan’s story can you apply to your own relationships?