1 Samuel 18:1 to 18:4; 20:1 to 20:17 True Christian friendship is selfless, loyal, and rooted in God's covenant love. Explore the deep friendship between David and Prince Jonathan. See how Jonathan gave up his royal rights out of love for God's chosen servant. Practice being a faithful, encouraging, and unselfish friend. After David defeated Goliath, King Saul became insanely jealous of David's popularity. But Saul's son, crown prince Jonathan, responded with pure love. Knitted Together in Love After David finished speaking to Saul, the soul of [Jonathan](/bible/explorer/person/jonathan) was knitted to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Jonathan was next in line to be king, but he recognized that God had chosen David. Jonathan took off his royal robe, his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt, and gave them to David as a sign of unselfish loyalty and honor. Jealousy in the Palace As women sang in the streets, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands," King Saul burned with dark jealousy. Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear! David had to run for his life. In his distress, David met his best friend Jonathan in secret to find out if there was any hope of peace. The Arrow Signal and Covenant Oath Jonathan promised to protect David. They made a solemn covenant before the Lord to show kindness to each other and their descendants forever. Jonathan devised a clever signal: he would shoot three arrows in a field. If he told his boy, "The arrows are beyond you," David would know he must flee. When they said goodbye beside a stone mound, they wept together, and Jonathan said: "Go in peace, for we have sworn in the name of the Lord." A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 What royal items did Prince Jonathan give to David to seal their friendship? His royal robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt A bag of gold coins A pair of golden shoes A royal chariot His royal robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt 1 Samuel 18:4 records Jonathan stripping himself of his robe and armor for David. Why was King Saul angry and jealous toward David? Because people praised David more than Saul in their songs Because David broke a chariot Because David refused to play the harp Because David moved away Because people praised David more than Saul in their songs 1 Samuel 18:7 to 9 shows Saul seething because songs credited David with ten thousands. What secret signal did Jonathan use to warn David to flee? Shooting arrows and shouting to the boy: "The arrows are beyond you" Blowing a golden trumpet three times Lighting a bonfire on the hill Sending a carrier pigeon Shooting arrows and shouting to the boy: "The arrows are beyond you" 1 Samuel 20:20 to 22 describes Jonathan's arrow signal. Write an encouraging note or say something genuinely kind to a friend this week, putting their happiness ahead of your own. Lord God, thank you for the gift of true friends. Thank you for Jonathan's selfless love toward David, and thank you for Jesus, who calls us his friends and laid down his life for us. Teach me to be a loyal, unselfish, and encouraging friend at all times. In Jesus' name, Amen. Why was Jonathan's friendship so remarkable, considering he could have been jealous that David was chosen to be king instead of him? How can you be a loyal friend when someone is being made fun of or having a bad day? Explorers examine the covenant friendship of David and Jonathan, learning that true friendship is selfless, loyal, and grounded in God. Ask students what qualities they look for in a best friend. Contrast fake friends who only stick around when things are fun with true friends like Jonathan! Did David keep his promise to Jonathan after Jonathan died? Yes! In 2 Samuel 9, King David sought out Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth, restored his land, and gave him an honored seat at the royal table. 5 min Hook & Discussion, 12 min Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 5 min Quiz