”Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.“
I Samuel 23:16-18 NKJV
a. Strengthened his hand in God: This is what Jonathan did for David. Jonathan could not rescue David, but he strengthened his hand in God. Jonathan couldn’t give David all the answers, but he strengthened his hand in God. Jonathan couldn’t stay with David, but he strengthened his hand in God. This was a precious gift.
b. Do not fear: In encouraging David, Jonathan gave him reasons to not fear. David could reject fear because God would ultimately protect him (Saul my father shall not find you). David could reject fear because God’s promise would come to pass (You shall be king over Israel). David could reject fear because he had loyal friends like Jonathan (I shall be next to you).
i. Because of their great friendship, David and Jonathan looked forward to the day when David would be king, and Jonathan would support and help him. But it would never come to pass because Jonathan would die before David became king. Jonathan’s encouragement was a mix of divine promises and an expression of hope and desire.
c. Even my father knows that: Saul knew that David would be the next king, that the Lord had ordained it. Yet he fought against the will of God with everything he had.
d. The two of them made a covenant before the Lord: David and Jonathan already made a covenant (1 Samuel 18:3, 20:16) but now they confirm it again. Renewing or reconfirming a covenant does not make the previous covenant less precious; it makes it more precious and valid.
i. This was the last time David and Jonathan saw each other on earth and their relationship was still confirmed in a covenant.
Strengthened His Hand in God!
As Christian’s this is what we do for each other just as Jonathan did for David.
”Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.“
1 Thessalonians 5:11 BSB
“Encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen world in a holy way. Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loved (see John 13:34-35). Encouragement gives hope (Romans 15:4). Encouragement helps us through times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5). Encouragement nurtures patience and kindness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Galatians 5:22-26). Encouragement makes it easier to sacrifice our own desires for the advancement of God’s kingdom. In short, encouragement makes it easier to live the Christian life.”
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-encouragement.html
Encouragement helps someone strengthen his or her hand in God!
Who can you encourage and build up?
Blessings
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