Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. The defining ... [PDF]

Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. The defining trait of David’s success was his relationship with God and the presence of the Holy Spirt. Both Jonathan and Saul had previously experienced the Holy Spirit’s blessing, and now both saw in David something that they once had, but now only longed for. a. What is the difference between how Saul and Jonathan responded to God’s blessing in David’s life? What is the difference between being jealous for God’s blessing and being jealous of God’s blessing? b. What do you think drove Saul’s reaction of being jealous of God’s blessing that he saw in David’s life? What do you think drove Jonathan’s reaction of being jealous for God’s grace that he saw in David’s life? c. What can and/or should we do to lead our heart so that we are jealous for God’s grace and not of His grace? 2. Saul had no reason to feel threatened by David - his success help Saul and made him look good. But Jonathan was the heir apparent to the throne, and David’s popularity and success was a real threat to Jonathan’s future. In spite of this, Saul felt threatened by David and opposed him, while Jonathan invested himself in David’s success. a. Why do you think Saul felt so threatened by David, when from a logical perspective David wasn’t a threat, and his success only helped Saul? b. Why do you think that Jonathan didn’t feel threatened by David, and actually gave up his power to help David? 3. 1st Samuel 18:12 tells us, “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.” He saw the hand of God’s blessing in David’s life and resented it. a. How common is this in our lives today? What does this look like today? b. Read 1st Peter 4:3-4. What does Peter teach about this problem and how we should respond? 4. The story of David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the best known and best loved stories of true friendship in the Bible, if not in history. However, the real meaning of the story isn’t in the fact of their friendship, but in the basis and nature of their friendship. a. What was the basis of David and Jonathan’s friendship? What drew them together and bound them as such close friends? What can and should we learn from this? b. We usually think of friendships being built on common interests and/or backgrounds, but David and Jonathan had absolutely nothing in common. How did their lack of common background impact the nature of their friendship, and what can and/or should we learn from their example? c. What was unique about the nature of their friendship? What is the significance of the covenant between them? What is the significance of the gifts Jonathan gave to David? What can and/or should we learn about friendship from the nature of their friendship? 5. Jonathan saw David’s faith and God’s blessing in David’s life, and he was drawn to David because was jealous for that experience of God’s grace in his own life. He wanted to be close to a friend whose faith and relationship with God could challenge him.

a. What would this look like in your life? Do you have a friend who has a faith and relationship with God that challenges you to grow in your walk with God? If not, what steps can you take to find and build that kind of friendship? b. Are you willing to find and pursue a friendship with someone who has the kind of Godly marriage you want? Who is an example of good and Godly parenting? What other areas in your life do you need strong Godly friends whose lives can be an example?