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3 August 2007
2 Samuel 9 v 1-4
David asked, "Is anyone still left in Saul's family? I want to show kindness to that person for Jonathan's sake!" Now there was a servant named Ziba from Saul's family. So David's servants called Ziba to him. King David said to him, "Are you Ziba?"
He answered, "Yes, I am your servant."
The king asked, "Is anyone left in Saul's family? I want to show God's kindness to that person." Ziba answered the king, "Jonathan has a son still living who is crippled in both feet." The king asked Ziba, "Where is this son?" Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
In much of this section of 2 Samuel you can read about David's military strength and his ruthlessness in battle. Yet here we see a different side to David.
Jonathan had been David's closest friend, until his death in battle against the Philistines (you can read about it in 1 Samuel 31). He came to David's rescue many times, despite the danger of incurring the wrath of his father, Saul. Indeed, David misses him so much that he laments "I cry for you, my brother Jonathan. I enjoyed your friendship so much. Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women. (2 Samuel 1:26)
Someone once told me that it is useful to have three close friends in your life. One should be like Paul - a father figure who can help you to grow and learn in your faith. One should be like Barnabas - a companion to share struggles and journey together with. One should be like Timothy - a younger Christian who you can help to disciple.
Have you got friends like these? Or could you develop some? I have recently tried to do so and have found my faith deepened amazingly.
Spend some time thinking about your friendships with other Christians. Ask God if these friendships could be developed into more accountable relationships with a Paul, a Barnabas or a Timothy.
Written by Matt Chessum
2 Samuel 9 v 1-4
David asked, "Is anyone still left in Saul's family? I want to show kindness to that person for Jonathan's sake!" Now there was a servant named Ziba from Saul's family. So David's servants called Ziba to him. King David said to him, "Are you Ziba?"
He answered, "Yes, I am your servant."
The king asked, "Is anyone left in Saul's family? I want to show God's kindness to that person." Ziba answered the king, "Jonathan has a son still living who is crippled in both feet." The king asked Ziba, "Where is this son?" Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
In much of this section of 2 Samuel you can read about David's military strength and his ruthlessness in battle. Yet here we see a different side to David.
Jonathan had been David's closest friend, until his death in battle against the Philistines (you can read about it in 1 Samuel 31). He came to David's rescue many times, despite the danger of incurring the wrath of his father, Saul. Indeed, David misses him so much that he laments "I cry for you, my brother Jonathan. I enjoyed your friendship so much. Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women. (2 Samuel 1:26)
Someone once told me that it is useful to have three close friends in your life. One should be like Paul - a father figure who can help you to grow and learn in your faith. One should be like Barnabas - a companion to share struggles and journey together with. One should be like Timothy - a younger Christian who you can help to disciple.
Have you got friends like these? Or could you develop some? I have recently tried to do so and have found my faith deepened amazingly.
Spend some time thinking about your friendships with other Christians. Ask God if these friendships could be developed into more accountable relationships with a Paul, a Barnabas or a Timothy.
Written by Matt Chessum
