1 SAMUEL 18:1 & 3 - KNIT TOGETHER

1 Samuel 18:1 & 3

KNIT TOGETHER

 by Susan R. Slade

And it came to pass, when he had made an end 

of speaking unto Saul,

 that the soul of Jonathan was knit 

with the soul of David,

and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,

because he loved him as his own soul.

The youth David had just walked out alone in the strength of his God with just a sling and five stones, slain the giant Goliath, and lopped off his head with his own sword. This instigated a mighty victory for the army of Israel who had been shaking with fear just moments before this act of faith. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, rightful royal successor to the throne of Israel, under the influence of God’s Spirit, was captivated with young David. Jonathan recognized God’s Spirit upon David. He made a covenant of friendship with David placing upon him his royal robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt. Jonathan symbolically gave his right to the throne to David that day. Read more of their story in the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel ,including David’s vow to care for Jonathan’s descendants and his inviting the lone relative, Mephibosheth, to dine at his table and taking care of him in an era when kings routinely put the relatives of the previous royal family to death.

When I was in the hospital to have a bilateral leg amputation above the knees, my friend and facilitator, Susie, stayed with me day and night. When various hospital staff members would come in, they would ask if we were sisters. We would tell them no, and they would ask how long we had known each other. They were amazed when we explained that we had known each other only eleven months. By that point God had miraculously convinced Susie that we should be roommates after the hospital stay which she understood would be a lifelong commitment and labor of love to care for me. We finally recognized ourselves in the story of Jonathan and David and said to everyone who knew this story that we were their female counterparts. By that we meant that God had supernaturally knit our souls together. God had made us sisters despite Susie’s initial reluctance to risk becoming a caregiver again so soon after her mother passed away. She soon came to realize that I take care of her as well, and caregiving is only about five percent of our familyship. The love of Jesus can take us places we would never dream of going, but when we follow the urging of His Holy Spirit, we will be blessed in ways we could never have imagined.

Do not be afraid to engage in the love adventure of following the Father’s call to be brothers and sisters in His forever family.  These new siblings will be used by God to enrich your life and multiply His love for you. Do not be afraid to love sacrificially, giving up your own rights in favor of a brother or sister in Christ.