God’s covenant people.
In Luke 22:20, Jesus tells his disciples that through His death, we become God’s covenant people. Jonathan’s covenant with David is a reflection of God’s covenant with you.
v1 Jonathan’s love for David points to God’s love for all of us as the foundation of His covenant. God’s love toward you is not dependent on how good you are but God’s love for you (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
v2 Through Jesus Christ, you have been adopted into God’s household as a child and heir of God’s promise (Ephesians 1:5).
v3 Jonathan’s love for David is a reflection of God’s willingness to sacrifice His own Son to save you (Romans 8:32).
v4 The robe Jonathan placed on David points to the robe of righteousness we receive from Christ. Jesus exchanged His righteousness for our sinfulness so that we would become the righteousness of God (Isaiah 61:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21). The armor and weapons Jonathan gave David points to God’s promise to protect and fight for you in all circumstances.
v5 David was successful wherever he went because he was in covenant with God. When you enter into covenant with God, His favor and blessing will follow you wherever you go.
Read 1 Samuel 18:1-5.
1. How does Jesus describe our relationship with God in Luke 22:20?2. What does Jonathan’s covenant with David reveal to you about God’s covenant with you?
Overcome jealousy with intimacy.
v6-16 Jealousy is dangerous. Jealousy is the fear of losing affection. Those struggling with jealousy find it difficult to celebrate other people’s achievements because they fear losing the limelight. Saul knew that God had rejected him from being king (1 Samuel 15:28). Instead of celebrating David’s victories, Saul felt threatened by David’s increasing popularity. Saul feared that David would replace him as king. Saul was jealous of God’s favor upon David. And his jealousy drove him further away from God.
Jealousy will destroy your life. If you struggle to celebrate other people’s success, it is a sign that jealousy has taken root in your heart. The way to overcome jealousy is to draw near to God. When you draw near to God, you will see that your relationship with God is not dependent on your achievements but His love for you. God’s love is not in limited supply. Just because God loves someone else does not mean He loves you less. When you are secure in God’s love, you will no longer crave the attention of people around you. When you are secure in God’s love, you will not feel jealous over other people’s spiritual gifts or success.
Read 1 Samuel 18:6-16.
How did jealousy affect king Saul’s life?
How does the Bible teach us to overcome jealousy? (Deuteronomy 7:7-8, 1 John 4:18)
Avoid workplace politics.
v17-30 Many people feel that they have no choice but to participate in workplace politics because their survival depends on it. But David’s life is a testimony of how no one can derail God’s plan for your life. Even though King Saul turned the Philistine army against David, God protected David from all harm. God used King Saul’s schemes to make David even more successful. Even though King Saul used his daughters as political weapons to trap David, David continued to serve faithfully.
David trusted that God would fulfill what He had spoken. Trusting in God means giving our best at the workplace even when our supervisors are unkind. Trusting God means that you do not need to strive for position or power. You do not need to engage in workplace politics because your career is in God’s hands. God promises in Isaiah 54:17 that no weapon formed against you will prosper.
Read 1 Samuel 18:17-30.
How did David respond to the way King Saul treated him?
How can we apply this passage to how we respond to workplace/school politics?
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