GetWisdom PaperturnSampler FINAL SinglePages - Flipbook - Page 52
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Where else do we find this word in the Bible? Scroll down to the Concordance in the BLB to see
some of the other verses that use this same Hebrew word.
Who is the one making the covenant in the majority of these verses? ________
If we look at David and Jonathan’s friendship under the scope of this word covenant/briyth, we
see that it’s the same one used for pledges between God and humans. A beriyth is a treaty, alliance,
pledge, or agreement. God made this type of beriyth with Abraham (Genesis 15:18), as well as with
Moses (Exodus 24:7-8; 34:27; Deuteronomy 5:2).
If we dive deeper into the story of David and Jonathan, we learn that under their beriyth ,
Jonathan would be second in command in David’s future reign (1 Samuel 23:16-18) and David
was to protect Jonathan’s family (1 Samuel 20:14-16).
The Message writes beautifully about this aspect of their friendship:
By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with
David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to
David. From that point on he would be David’s number-one advocate and friend. (1
Samuel 18:1)
In 1 Samuel 18:4, we see that
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor,
and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
This was a hugely significant gift. By doing this, Jonathan said to David that he recognized the
shepherd-turned-soldier as the future king over Israel. The kingship was to be Jonathan’s title. His
future. But jealousy did not rear its ugly head in the prince like it did the king.
Jonathan walked so closely with God that he knew his father’s mistakes cut off the family line
to the throne…and yet we see no anger. No sadness or attempts to persuade God from the decision
He’d already made.
I think about all the times I try to persuade God about what He should do, as if I know better.
And as much as I’d like to deny it, sometimes my eyes do grow green with envy as I hear about a
friend getting something I want, like a book on a bestseller list or their house featured on
Anthropologie’s feed and website.
Jonathan should have been king. He was a good man who didn’t make his father’s mistakes or
share his envious heart. And yet God’s plan for Jonathan’s life wouldn’t include a crown—but
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