A Fond Farewell – Quiet Time based on 1 Samuel 20:35-42
A Fond Farewell – Quiet Time based on 1 Samuel 20:35-42
Scripture (NIV)
³⁵ In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him,
³⁶ and he said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ When the boy came to the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”
³⁸ Then he shouted, “Hurry! Go quickly! Don’t stop!” The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
³⁹ (The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.)
⁴⁰ Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, “Go, carry them back to town.”
⁴¹ After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.
⁴² Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
Reflection
Deep Affection (20:35–41)
Jonathan faithfully fulfills his promise by informing David that his life is in danger. In response, David falls reverently to the ground before Jonathan in gratitude. Their farewell is truly a precious moment between these two men, and they openly express their love for each other and their sorrow over having to part ways. Have you ever expressed this level of affection in your own friendships? Many of us probably have not. But it is a good thing to show others, especially fellow believers, how much we love and appreciate them. It takes courage to expose our deepest emotions, or to even allow ourselves to have such feelings in the first place. But let us love one another without holding back because this is how God has loved us.
How do you show affection to your loved ones? How can you be more expressive in your love and appreciation for fellow believers?
Everlasting Covenant (20:42)
Before Jonathan takes leave of David, he reminds him of the covenant of friendship that they share, which not only binds the two men but also extends to their descendants forever. The depth of this bond is remarkable, and we as believers have the privilege of being members of a similar covenant. Paul writes to the Galatians, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). God’s covenant puts us in direct union with Christ and it also connects us to all the people of God throughout history. We are included in the long line of faithful saints that God has set apart for Himself because of the work of Christ.
How do you regard fellow believers in ages past and in other parts of the world? How does it encourage you to know that you share a connection with your spiritual heroes of the past?
Prayer
Jesus, through Your blood, You have brought all believers into an everlasting covenant with You. Help us to love one another and to be witnesses of Your saving grace to the ends of the earth. In Your name, amen.
