Teaching Notes

One thing about good friends is they will make you laugh and do not mind being silly in front of you.  Friends want the best for you and they will love you in all times and through all situations.  What a blessing to have a good friend.

Do You Have Any Friends?

1 Samuel 20:41-42 (The Message)

40-41 Jonathan gave his quiver and bow to the boy and sent him back to town. After the servant was gone, David got up from his hiding place beside the boulder, then fell on his face to the ground—three times prostrating himself! And then they kissed one another and wept, friend over friend, David weeping especially hard.



42 Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'"

Notes: Jonathan was the son of Saul, whom hated David.  Saul wanted David killed, but Jonathan pledged friendship with David and nothing stood in the way of that friendship. When Saul was plotting to kill David, Jonathan told him and spared his life.  He vowed a friendship to David before the Lord.

Question: Why do you think this pledge was so important to Jonathan that he even defied his own father?

Answer: David was anointed by God and Jonathan felt a connection to him.  He knew David was anointed by God and Jonathan took his friendship very seriously.  He would not go along with his father, because of the things he did were wrong.  We sometimes may feel like David that there is no one we can trust.  However, God has allowed someone to recognize that you are anointed.  They take their friendship with you seriously because they know that God is the one that has ordained that friendship.  They will not be willing to let anyone or anything get in the way.  What a blessing to have and to be a good friend like this.  Today if you need to be a friend like this or to have a friend like this, let us pray.

Prayer: God, we thank you for making friendship something very important in the hearts of some people.  May you first help me to be a good friend that will help your anointed along their journey.  Also, Lord  help me to find a great friendship like this that will encouragement along my path.  Thank you for showing us how to be good friends.