Well, happy Independence Day. I hope that you will enjoy this holiday as we consider who God is as the ruler of our nation. And it is good to be back preaching again as we continue our series in 1 Samuel. Take your Bibles, go to 1 Samuel chapter 20 this morning. 1 Samuel chapter 20. The passage this morning highlights surprising loyalties. Jonathan is confident that David, his friend, would be the next king of Israel. We're not quite sure how he knows this or is committed to this, but it's clear from this text, from other texts that we've already seen in chapter 18 specifically, that he's committed to this. Jonathan's not positioning himself for greater prominence in David's kingdom. He's not fighting to retain his own privileged position as the prince over Israel. Instead, in our passage, he promises to defend, to support God's will for David's life and for his nation. His love and friendship are deeply rooted in his confidence and hope in God's goodness and God's faithfulness. This passage is focused on the covenant loyalty by which these two men, David and Jonathan, have bound themselves. This passage isn't primarily about friendship. There are certainly applications we can make in that direction. But I think in first reading, we might think, well, this is all about friendship, but there's more going on here than just friendship. This isn't about how to have really strong relationships. It's a commitment to following God's choice of king, even at personal cost. This is a passage highlighting what it means to following God's king. See this through the covenant language that is all throughout this passage. We'll see it in verse eight as David reminds Jonathan that they had already previously entered into a covenant relationship with each other. This isn't just a commitment to be good friends. In verse 12, Jonathan then calls God the witness of these promises. He makes it solemn. He recognizes its spiritual nature. In verse 16, Jonathan renews his covenant with the house of David. He has a future view. And then he makes David renew his promises to Jonathan's house and descendants. And finally, the passage concludes. It's this confirming point in verse 42 with a final reference to their commitment to follow their covenant promises. And through all of these interactions between David and Jonathan, our passage shows us that God calls his people to demonstrate covenant faithfulness to his anointed. This morning we'll consider the passage in four sections. Let's begin this morning by reading verses 1 through 4. 1 Samuel chapter 20 verses 1 through 4. This is God's word to us, his people. Then David fled from Naoth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father that he seeks my life? And he said to him, Jonathan said to David, far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so. But David vowed again, he's saying it stronger. Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. And he thinks, do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved. But truly, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death. Then Jonathan said to David, whatever you say, I will do for you. Let's ask God's blessing now as we look at this passage together. Father, give us help as we study this text. This is a challenging text as we see these conversations between David and Jonathan. Help us to see beyond merely the temporal relationship. Help us to see you behind the text and over the text, revealing more of your character to us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. First, we see the covenant provides hope in times of distress. The covenant provides hope in times of distress. In verses one through four, we're introduced to this new situation. A new setting is given. After several attempts on his life, David has now run to the only place he can think of in the moment. He's looking for answers. It's not just safety, he's looking for answers. So he comes to Jonathan, the one who knows him perhaps best. David's not seeking to know if Saul wants to kill him. Rather, he's wanting to know why. What have I done? He served faithfully and successfully in Saul's court. So he says to Jonathan, what is my guilt? What is my sin before your father that he is seeking my life? Now, David is certainly convinced his life is in jeopardy and for good reason. And it's interesting that some commentators would read this and say, well, David is sinfully fearful. David is wrong in his response here. Maybe he's even running to the wrong person instead of running to the Lord. I don't think the text gives us that indication at all. We should actually be recognizing after chapters 18 and 19, this is just a very natural response and he's actually seeking for help from the one person who may be able to provide an answer. David has good reason to fear for his life. Three times Saul has already tried to kill David with a spear in chapters 18 and 19. Twice Saul plotted David's death by sending him on these suicide missions against the Philistines saying, I won't have to kill him. The Philistines will do that for me. Three more times in chapter 19, we were told that he plotted with his servants to have David killed. It's obvious that Saul wants David dead. And yet God's protected him every single time. We should not be surprised that David fears for his life or that he says he's only one step from death. That's absolutely true. But why come to Jonathan? Jonathan is the king's son. He admits he's still in very close contact with a person wanting David dead. Jonathan could be more interested in defending his father, his father's kingdom, his father's honor, his father's position. Is there a risk here for God's anointed to be coming to the son of his enemy? But one factor provides the answer. And it's even more significant than the fact that David and Jonathan are close friends, that they're brothers-in-law. They've entered into a sacred covenant together. Their relationship with the Lord, their view of his plans is guiding this relationship. In 1 Samuel 18, three and four, we read, then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and he gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his bow and his belt. What does all of this mean? Well, this is more than just honoring David because of their friendship. He's making this covenant with David. In doing this, Jonathan is pledging undying loyalty and faithfulness to him. He's recognized that God is with David and the Lord has knit their hearts together in pursuing God's will. Think of it in this way. This is like Lancelot offering King Arthur his sword. And as Jonathan takes off all of his armor and gives that over to David, it's as if Lancelot is offering Arthur his sword. He's saying, I am yours. My whole life is yours to use in your service. Jonathan is not bowing to his friend. He's bowing to his king. He's honoring what God has said about David's future. He's binding himself to God's choice and humbly submitting to it, even in a moment when he has all the power in the relationship. Jonathan is the prince. In a sense, his word is law. David has nothing. The king has set himself against David. David's an outlaw. And yet Jonathan, by faith, believes God's word and acts accordingly. David could come to Jonathan because he'd made a vow to support and protect David in any way that he could. I think we're supposed to see Jonathan's need to be convinced as him wrestling with his faith, whether or not he will support what God has said. One author concludes, in confusion and trouble, you take yourself to the one person who has made a covenant with you. That's what David's doing. David here is seeking his faithful friend to speak into his life. Maybe there's something he's missed. Maybe there's a blind spot. Maybe he doesn't know that he's committed some sin or grieved his father in some way. And David proposes a plan in order to convince Jonathan, a test. Let's continue reading now in verse number five. We'll read through verse 11. Verse five says, David said to Jonathan, behold, tomorrow is the new moon. And this is highlighting there will be a festival around this beginning of the month. And I should not fail to sit at table with the king, but let me go that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening. If your father misses me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan. If he, Saul, says good, it will be well with your servant. But if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. Therefore, deal kindly or show steadfast love to your servant. For you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself. For why should you bring me to your father? And Jonathan said, far be it from you. This could never be. If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you? Then David said to Jonathan, who will tell me if your father answers you roughly? And Jonathan said to David, come, let us go out into the field. So they both went out into the field. David here proposes a plan that will reveal Saul's intention without any unnecessary risk to his life. This is a rather ingenious plan to figure out what are Saul's intentions? What are his feelings toward David? He asked Jonathan to mislead, even lie to his father. Now, as an aside, what are we to make of David asking Jonathan to lie for him? Is the Bible condoning these actions? Again, this is a point to make sure we're clear on as we think about Old Testament narrative. We're to understand that an Old Testament narrative as it's recording history, it's recording events. The narrator is saying, I want you to see these actions in the story. The burden of the text is not to demonstrate that every word or every action of the main characters is morally right or good or to be followed. That's not what's happening here. One author summarizes how we should see this by stating, it's important to distinguish what the Bible reports and what it recommends. Here we simply have a report. Scripture elsewhere is very clear that lying is wrong. So we cannot justify misleading someone based on a passage like this. Let's look again at verse number eight. David concludes, therefore deal kindly. or show steadfast, loyal love. This is a common description of God in the Old Testament. This is how God's people should treat one another. He says, deal kindly to your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. This is highlighting the nature of this covenant again. We want it to be clear that, again, this isn't just about friendship, and you need close friendships to walk through the difficulties of life. This is a covenant of the Lord. We're gonna see more of the features of this kind of commitment, but it's more than just a handshake or verbal agreement. It's a promise with spiritual foresight, spiritual implication, spiritual understanding. The godly friendship of these men is based on their relationship with the Lord. The idea of steadfast love, loyalty, or commitment runs throughout the passage. And as we think of this idea, and we do make applications toward our friendships, it might be easy for us to ask ourselves, why hasn't God provided me a friend like Jonathan to encourage me? It might be easy to feel a little sorry for ourselves if we feel like I don't really have the close friends that I would like to have. But I believe the passage is encouraging us to ask a different question instead. It's calling us to ask ourselves, am I being a friend like Jonathan? Not what can I receive, but what kind of friendship am I to give? Am I developing the godly zeal for God's plans and helping other believers to follow him as I should. Am I being like Jonathan? Biblical fellowship isn't about affirming one another's interests and desires. It's about encouraging one another to follow him. We also see that while this friendship is a great blessing to these two men, They're not depending on a human for their hope. They're not depending on each other. Their hope is not in the other person. God uses this relationship in both men's lives, but notice it's only for a time. David is a man who's learned how to encourage himself in the Lord. He spent time alone with God and therefore has much to bring to this relationship. We're to conclude that Jonathan knows this as well, as he's regularly portrayed as turning his attention. And now in this passage, turning David's attention back to the Lord. These are men of faith. And if you want to be a godly friend and reap the joys of godly fellowship, it must start with your personal, vibrant, healthy, growing walk with the Lord. Secondly, We see that the covenant promotes surprising loyalty. The covenant promotes surprising loyalty. Let's read again in verse number 12. And Jonathan said to David, the Lord, the God of Israel, be witness. He's the one seeing this. When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan, and more also, if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in peace or safety. May the Lord be with you as he has been, now that's past, with my father. If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die. And do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. Now the passage shifts significantly and the focus will be almost entirely on Jonathan. All throughout chapter 20, we see Jonathan as the initiator of the action, of the conversation. In verses 12 through 17, if you look carefully, they don't really move the plot forward at all. They're recorded to show us something about Jonathan's view of his God and of God's commitment to David. They show us Jonathan's surprising, yet important words to David. And as such, David becomes practically silent and passive in the rest of the passage. Jonathan moves to the front, and again, we're impressed by how his view of God shapes his view of all of his circumstances. Notice that Jonathan initiates and seeks to fulfill his promises before God. He says, the Lord, the God of Israel, be witness. This isn't just an empty statement you make when you're making a covenant. For Jonathan, God is the ever-present observer of this conversation, and therefore the judge of their actions. If they fail to keep their word, their covenant commitments, God will judge them for that, and they're asking him to judge. He promises to inform David of any danger, even from his own father. But then secondly, and this is the surprise, Jonathan initiates a future covenant with David and his house. a covenant that defies human logic and common practice. Jonathan is asking David to make a promise to him. He says, if I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord that I may not die. And do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever for my future descendants. When the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. Now, why is he saying this? Why is he afraid of death? He's not looking at death right now, is he? Why is he saying this? Jonathan's expressing his faith that God will continue to prosper David and his rule even in the future. He amazingly believes that God will establish David's kingdom forever. Notice the scope of his words. And that as David's kingdom expands, it will expand across the face of the entire earth. Surely the Spirit of God is filling this man's mouth with words of prophecy. Does he truly understand that the house of David will bring forth the Messiah, whose name will increase throughout all the earth, whose reign will never end? What we do know of Jonathan is that this is an incredible demonstration of humility, of submission and faith. He's completely surrendered to the will of God. Doesn't a covenant with the house of David sound a little bit premature here? But it demonstrates Jonathan's confidence in the plan of God. There has seldom if ever been exhibited a finer instance of triumphant faith, writes William Blakey, than when the prince with all the resources of his kingdom at his command made this request of the helpless outlaw. But now why would Jonathan fear for his life? David's in no position. He has no desire to take Jonathan's life now. But what he's recognizing is this universal principle that when a new king comes to the throne, he removes any rival or enemy that he had once been having, or he had once had against his throne, against his rule. All living members of the former royal family would be executed. This was common, it was universally accepted. This would be done several times by Israel's kings in the future. Remember how for Herod, when he even heard that a baby would someday sit on his throne, has every male child killed that's under a certain age. That's how zealously he guarded his throne. What's really happening here? Jonathan is asking God's anointed for mercy. mercy on his enemy. You see, Saul is David's enemy. Saul's already said that by his own mouth in chapter 19, verse 17. Saul's house stands against David. So politically, Jonathan stands as David's enemy, though they're not enemies in spirit. He's a part of the house that's against David. But God's anointed king will show mercy on his enemy. Instead of death, he would offer faithful covenant keeping love instead. He keeps that later to Jonathan's seed, Mephibosheth. Does this remind you of the greater king to come? David's offspring who offers a promise of love to his enemies. This greater David offers us love while we were still sinners, enemies, aliens, estranged from him. Before we even ask for mercy, while we're still in our sin and blindness, Christ died for you and for me. If you do not know this Christ as your savior, there's nothing more important for you to understand this morning than that Jesus loves and pursue sinners, that he is going to do even more than David does here. That we stand truly as God's enemies, as rebels, those who are created to serve him and worship him. And we've raised our fist in his face, committed cosmic treason, and yet the son of God, before we're interested in him at all, pursues sinners. There's no single person who's beyond hope, whose sin is too great for him to forgive and welcome into his own family, into his own home. You have to turn from your own way, from seeking to rule your own life, from seeking to be your own king and follow him and follow King Jesus. Let's continue reading now in verse 18. Then Jonathan said to him, tomorrow is the new moon and you'll be missed because your seat will be empty. On the third day, go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand and remain beside the stone heap. And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it as though I shot at a mark. And behold, I will send the young man saying, go find the arrows. If I say to the young man, look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them. Then you are to come for as the Lord lives, It is safe for you and there is no danger. But if I say to the youth, look, the arrows are beyond you, then go for the Lord has sent you away. And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever. So Jonathan makes David swear again to this oath because of their mutual love, because of their commitment. And then the plot moves forward again as Jonathan agrees to enact David's plan at the New Moon Festival the next day. They agree on a sign that would allow David to escape quickly if the situation became desperate. This does seem a little odd because we know that after this whole arrow shooting thing at the end of the story, they are gonna talk. But it seems like they've come up with this plan in case the need is dire for David to run away quickly. Seems best to anticipate that need. We should notice then in verses 21 through 23, again, Jonathan's view of the Lord. He highlights that Yahweh is guiding all of the actions. If David's to flee, it will be the Lord who has sent him away, the Lord who has acted. This is no accident. Again, this isn't about Saul and David. It's about God's plans for David. And no matter what difficulties arise from Saul's hatred and sin, they can be assured of God's faithfulness to them through all of these circumstances. Do you see how Jonathan is encouraging David to look at his God? God may allow for their separation, but he would remain at the center of their lives. Number three, the covenant demands costly commitment. We'll continue reading now in verse 24. So David hid himself in the field and when the new moon came, The king sat down to eat food. The king sat on his seat as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. Yet Saul did not say anything that day for he thought something has happened to him. He's not clean. Surely he is not clean. But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today? Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. He said, let me go for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city. And my brother has commanded me to be there. So now if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers. For this reason, he has not come to the king's table. Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. And he said to him, you son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me for he shall surely die. Then Jonathan answered Saul, his father, why should he be put to death? What has he done? But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month for he was grieved for David because his father had disgraced him. David hides himself in the field, the festival begins. On the first day, Saul, to David's own credit, he assumes in his own mind that David has a legitimate reason. He's ceremonially unclean due to any number of common reasons. But on the second day, he should be there. And that previous excuse can no longer be the reason for his absence. So he asked Jonathan, where is the son of Jesse? He doesn't even use David's name. Jonathan answers with the agreed upon story, but Saul, he's not buying it. And the fireworks begin. Saul erupts with anger. His words seek to manipulate Jonathan in three different ways. Saul says that Jonathan has shamed himself by choosing another man over his own family. Secondly, he says he's shamed his mother, who now is unfairly getting dragged into this for some reason. And thirdly, he would forfeit his own claim to the throne as long as David is alive. Saul concludes by ordering Jonathan to bring David to him in order to put him to death. David's life is in immediate danger. But Jonathan resists all three attempts at manipulation and asks his father the same question David had asked at the beginning of our text. Why should he be put to death? What has he done? And Saul doesn't give an answer with words, but with outrageous and murderous action, now at his own son. He now seeks to kill his own son because he believes he's aligned with David, his enemy. His sin is leading him to greater and greater degrees of madness. It's the highest point of tension in our narrative. And verse 33 begins the resolution that then will continue for chapters as David is fleeing from Saul over and over again. But what we see in this passage is, so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. The line in the sand has been drawn. Jonathan, who will you choose? God is sending David on the run and in his grace, in his providence, in his sovereignty, in his faithfulness, he's provided Jonathan as the means of protection in this moment. Notice Jonathan's response, on behalf of David, we are told that he's angry because not of his father's injustice toward him, though his father was unjust toward him, unjust toward him, he's rather upset because of his father's injustice toward David. He's again demonstrating great commitment to God's plan, even to his own hurt or his own loss. There's a temporal cost for Jonathan to support David over his father. Saul has pointed that out. He could have pursued his own ambitions. He could have sought the throne for himself. should be surprised that he does not. But there's not a shred of selfishness or jealousy revealed in Jonathan at all. Not once do we see him show ambition to be the king, though he probably would have been a great king. He's simply committed to the will of God, for him, for David, for his nation. This is a man who's emptying himself. who's laying aside his rights, what humanly would have been his rightful claim to the throne. Jonathan's committed to God's plan for his life, even when that means he has to take a backseat. Jonathan's not zealous for his own glory, but for God's will. Does that describe you and the way that you're living your life? Do your priorities this morning faithfully reflect a commitment to follow Christ in the roles, in the responsibilities that he's given you? Or are you pursuing temporal accomplishments? Here's what Jonathan's choice to be loyal to David demonstrates. Following God's anointed king is personally costly. You'll have to give up some opportunities. you'll have to give up some benefits in this life. It nearly cost Jonathan his own life. It would later cost most of Jesus's disciples their lives. Today, it still costs believers their lives around our world. A commitment to follow Christ will cause friction somewhere in your life. And if it isn't, perhaps that should cause you to examine whether or not you're truly following him. or whether or not you're truly committed to his will. Finally, fourthly, the covenant assures peace in the midst of distress. We'll read the last few verses of the text, beginning in verse 35. In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David. and with him a little boy. And he said to his boy, run and find the arrows that I shoot. As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, is not the arrow beyond you? And Jonathan called after the boy, hurry, be quick, do not stay. So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master, but the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, go and carry them to the city. And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and he fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, go in peace because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord saying, The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring forever. And he, David, rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city." Jonathan, with his arrows, communicates his message that David must flee. We have to conclude that because there's no immediate danger, they have a few moments together to have a follow-up conversation, to risk that conversation. David again shows him deference and honor to his prince by bowing three times, not once, but three times. They kiss one another as a sign of both great affection and commitment. Now we need to be careful not to read this passage with modern eyes that may be prone to confuse the nature of their actions. We don't often see men kissing one another in a greeting or a parting. Certainly there's emotion here, but these actions would not have seemed strange or inappropriate to the first audience. Remember, in the New Testament, Paul tells believers to greet one another with a holy kiss. That was common. That was a regular form of greeting. But again, in Psalm 2, the psalmist commands, kiss the son, the king, lest he be angry with you. This means to pledge to him your undying loyalty and submission, recognize your fealty, your humble submission before him. This embrace and kiss are a pledge. It's an official sign, a pledge to continued faithfulness. And certainly this is a scene filled with great emotion. These men are facing a great amount of stress. They grieve over their parting. should appreciate the weight of their difficult situation. It reminds us of other difficulties that men face. On the eve of the American Civil War, two men, Louis Armstead and Winfield Hancock, spent a night weeping together as they departed for war. These close friends, one was to assume command in the Southern Army and the other in the North. Both would bitterly lament their parting, especially on the day when, as Armistead died and Hancock lay bleeding, their respective commands clashed in the climactic assault of the Battle of Gettysburg. Men of great feeling will exhibit emotion, not only over their victories and losses, but also over lost and parted friends. We should be pursuing these kind of godly friendships where God knits our hearts together with other believers. He's provided the soil for those friendships to grow right here among our church family. When we express our covenant to one another, we're supposed to be recognizing the feeling and the commitment that God's people are to give to one another, to help each other in their walk with God. Jonathan and David seem to understand this relationship will never be the same. David is now on the run for his life. And Jonathan goes back to fulfill his role in the royal family. And yet Jonathan concludes by saying, go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord. How could these be his parting words? How can there be peace? They could know peace because they knew that their lives were in God's hands. They could know peace because they knew him. God promises that he will keep them in perfect, complete, absolute, whole peace, whose minds are fixed on him. So how is God showing his faithfulness in this passage? We have lots of conversation about David and Jonathan. How's God showing his faithfulness? Well, just think about what is at stake every time David runs for his life after being threatened by Saul. Nothing less than the entire plan of redemption runs through David's line. Jesus will be the son of David. So in these pages above the text, We have spiritual warfare. Satan is seeking to cut off the seed of the woman by the hand of King Saul. He's tried again and again and again already. He's waging a full-fledged assault on the plan of God. Salvation itself is under siege. And yet God continues to faithfully protect and promote David. He does so in this text through that king, through the enemy's own son, through a man who temporally has everything to lose if David takes his place on the throne. The passage here is contrasting Saul's wicked response to God's choice of king with Jonathan's righteous response. God is showing incredible kindness to David. The chapter begins with David in great frustration, fear, and distress. His question in verse one is almost like the questions, the cry of Job. How long, O Lord? Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this? And Jonathan, in the passage, points his friend back to the faithfulness of God. God's faithfulness to David is seen in the faithfulness of Jonathan. His final words to David are words of peace, even in the midst of turmoil. Go in peace because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord. 14 times God is referred to in this passage. 12 of them come from the lips of Jonathan. This is a God-centered man, a God-centered friend. Pastor and author William Blakely writes, the glory of Jonathan's love for David fades before our Lord's love for his brethren. Once you are truly his, the bond can never be severed. You see, David had to leave Jonathan at some point according to God's will, but Christ will never leave you. Your union is cemented by the blood of the everlasting covenant and by Christ's high priestly prayer for you, where he prayed for you, knowing you would be one of his. Father, I will that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am. Can you see how much your King loves you? God is the ultimate covenant keeper. That's our hope in times of distress. What other God would make these kinds of eternal commitments to sinful people? He promises that no man can pluck his children from his hand. He promises that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he is walking right beside us. He offers us peace and contentment no matter how great the turmoil. because he's with us as we fix our minds on him. As we remember, he never leaves or forsakes his own. How should we respond? God is calling us this morning. He's calling you to wholehearted submission and faithfulness to his king. We should respond as Jonathan does in this passage. He's faithful to God's anointed king. He supports him. He commits himself to him, he defends him, he sacrifices for him, and he loves him. Jesus said, if any man would come after me, he must deny himself. He must lose his life for my sake. He must take up his cross and follow. We must give up our own way. Do you see how Jonathan fulfills that passage where Jesus says, if you love your family, your father, mother, brother, sister more, you can't have the kingdom? Are you submitted to and following this faithful king this morning? What are you setting above him? Your ambitions, your plans, your goals, your temporal desires? We're encouraged to follow him because Christ is a greater brother and friend than even Jonathan. He's the friend of sinners, a friend that sticks closer than a brother, a friend who knows you better than Jonathan knew David, and yet he loves you and is committed to you. He loves you with an everlasting love. The well-known hymn reminds us of this truth, loved with everlasting love. led by grace that love to know spirit breathing from above thou has taught me it is so oh this full and perfect peace oh this transport all divine in a love which cannot cease i am his and he is mine in this passage through his faithful friend god is assuring david of his love for him. And in this passage, God is assuring you of his love and commitment to you. Let's pray. Gracious God in heaven, we again marvel at your word. Lord, it speaks to us in our need, It shows us and reveals to us what we truly need. Perhaps this morning we walked in here thinking we knew what our hearts needs were, but yet your word tells us that we need more of you. And you are willing to give of yourself. You are faithfully committed to us. Lord, your love is greater than Jonathan's love for David. Your forgiveness is greater than David's forgiveness of his enemy. Lord, we truly have a great God. We have a relationship we do not deserve, we could never earn. So Lord, all of this leads us to rejoice and glorify and honor and worship you. For through Jesus Christ, You've made yourself known to us and rescued us and saved us and are keeping us and are sanctifying us and making us more like your son. Help us to love you. Help us to give you ourselves. Help us to stop asserting that we are the king in our lives. But may we give ourselves wholeheartedly to your anointed king. Lord, he is worthy of our worship. He's worthy of our lives. He's worthy of our speaking to you of others, to others, that they may know and worship you as well. Father, help us to be about your business. Help us to give ourselves wholeheartedly to you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.