Fast friendship
1 Samuel Chapters 20 – 21
After initially not wanting to believe his father really wanted David dead, Jonathan is forced to believe it when Saul accuses him of disloyalty.
Jonathan is, in fact, more loyal to David than he is to Saul, and warns David of the danger he is in using a plan they worked out beforehand.
David and Jonathan part in an emotional scene, with David pledging never to harm him or his family.
David takes some of his men with him and flees. Hungry, he approaches Ahimelek the priest and asks for bread. Ahimelek gives him Bread of the Presence, which should only have been consumed by priests.
Jesus will later use this story as justification for his disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath in Luke 6:1-5 and its parallels.
David also asks Ahimelek for a spear or sword and is given the sword that once belonged to Goliath.
Wednesday meditation
Proverbs 19:21-23
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Prayer focus
Lord, we do desire unfailing love, and we thank you for friendships that provide it. Let us be that kind of friend.
-Rev. Mark Fleming