David was the youngest in a large family. He looked after the sheep while his brothers fought in the Israelite army. David liked being a shepherd though. It meant that while watching the sheep he could think about God and play his harp out in the open fields and make up beautiful psalms to sing.
One day however, the prophet Samuel came to his house and told David that he was to be the next king over Israel. Saul, who was the present king, was not being faithful to God and would soon be removed from the throne.
This surprised David because Saul had a son named Jonathan who should have been the next king. David and Jonathan were good friends. When Jonathan knew that God had annointed David to be the next king he didn't get angry and jealous. He was happy for David. However, Saul was very angry and tried to kill David by throwing his spear at him. He told Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David. Jonathan warned David that his father wanted to kill him so he could escape, then he tried to reason with his father and speak well of David to him. For a time Saul listened to his son but his jealousy wouldn't let him be like that for long and once again he tried to kill David with his spear. David knew he would have to leave.
He talked to Jonathan about it and Jonathan said he would do whatever he could to help him. They decided David would hide while Jonathan went back to attend a feast that David had been invited to as well. When Saul saw that David was not there, he asked Jonathan where he was. Jonathan told Saul that he had given him permission not to attend. This made Saul furious and he told Jonathan that as long as David was alive he would never be king. Saul commanded him to bring David to him. When Jonathan refused, Saul threw his spear at him!
Jonathan went back to David and told him he had better go away. They knew they might never see one another again and were very sad. And a little later Jonathan was killed in battle. But David did not forget his promise of friendship with Jonathan and when he became king he looked after Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.
Things to Remember
Discussion
David and Jonathan are a wonderful example of friendship. They were never "out of friends" even though Jonathan knew David had been chosen to be the next king instead of himself, and David knew that Jonathan's father wanted to kill him. They were friends at all times. God is pleased when you are a good friend.
What was special about David?
Why did Saul not like David?
What did David do for Jonathan after he had been killed?
Activity Suggestions
Draw a picture of you and your best friend.
Make and decorate cookie men. Have one for a snack and give one to a friend. A recipe for sugar cookies is:
Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and then stir into batter. Roll out 1/8" thick. Cut into men. Bake on greased sheet at 350 F for 10 minutes.