DCLM Daily Manna 5 September 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Uncommon Friendship
TOPIC: Uncommon Friendship (DCLM Daily Manna 5 September 2023)
KEY VERSE: “And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?” (1 Samuel 20:32).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 20:24-34 (KJV)
24 So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.
30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
MESSAGE:
“I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women” (2 Samuel 1:26). David enjoyed a rare form of loyalty from Jonathan that made the latter’s death in battle a devastating shock to him. It inspired the poetic dirge that told the story of genuine and sacrificial relationship the Lord desires from all.
Jonathan, the son of Saul, the king of Israel, regularly shielded David from the murderous ploys of his own father. The prince’s love for David, God’s anointed future successor to Saul, resisted the king’s scheme to eliminate David. Jonathan would not even be swayed by his father’s argument that killing his friend would make way for him to mount the throne as the next king. An enraged Saul now transferred his deadly aggression to his son, who refused to support him.
Taking a firm stand for the truth always comes with its challenges. The consequences include alienation from loved ones, loss of privileges or opportunities and risk of physical attack, as seen in the case of Jonathan. All these must not stop one from sticking to a principled position, especially if it has to do with applying God’s word in our attitude to education, work, worship, relationship or choices that matter in life.
We need to pitch our tent always on high grounds of loyalty associated with the noble standards of the Lord. The steadfast believer cannot cede his or her position if the battle is between holding forth for what is the right course of action and giving in to what is the way of the unrighteous. Our service for heaven is a calling that demands sacrificial giving, even if it means losing earthly possessions to please the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Loyalty to God’s standards is eternally rewarding.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Psalm 89–91
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
