PrayerBits for Thursday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Thursday

Scripture lesson I Samuel 17:57-18:5 David and Jonathan

Time to reflect: For clarity, Jonathan and David were of different generations and the language here and elsewhere is of a “sword bearer” which is equivalent to a modern aide-de-camp which was a “General in Training.” Jonathan, the heir apparent for the Throne, was retiring from the field and letting David prepare to take over military command for him. Things get complicated later.

Moving through the day: To ponder: David came a long way in a short time and would soon end up be anointed in place of Saul and Jonathan. Is this a sign that God is with him, or favorable circumstances that in retrospect show God at work?

Scripture:

As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.

"Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him.
      David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."

1 Samuel 18

Saul's Jealousy of David

  After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

  Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well.