God Wants Me to Be Loving
An unselfish love
1 Samuel 20:12-17
Read the Bible through:
AM - 1 Chronicles 3-4 : PM - John 4:1-42
Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul (1 Sam. 20:17).
An unselfish love
1 Samuel 20:12-17
Read the Bible through:
AM - 1 Chronicles 3-4 : PM - John 4:1-42
Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul (1 Sam. 20:17).
The Old Testament assigns a great deal of importance to verbal blessings, curses, and covenants among God's people. This emphasis illustrates the belief that once spoken, words take on an irrevocable existence of their own and possesses the power to enforce whatever they describe. In Genesis 27, for example, Isaac could not remove his blessing from Jacob once he had uttered it.
The covenant between Jonathan and David exemplifies their respect for potent words. This agreement required each man to care for the other and his family regardless of how drastically circumstances might change. When Jonathan had David "swear again" to uphold his part, he was not questioning David's honesty, but solidifying their mutual commitment. In an act of unselfish love, Jonathan did not seek to protect his own interests, but showed how seriously he took the promise to protect the interests of his friend.
Lord, help me honor the promises I make to my friends.
