Get Truth Get Life

Jonathan’s love was like an art masterpiece, never growing old,

He loved David as himself, showing faith in the living God,

He valued good relationships more than silver and gold,

Jonathan’s faith in God is one to behold.

Jonathan’s devotion, a river of valor, gentle but strong,

In friendship’s currents, they journeyed along,

Through the trials of life, in its ebb and its flow,

Jonathan’s love was the anchor, a steady, unwavering glow.

Jonathan tasted the honey, had his energy restored,

He trusted the Heavenly Father and knew that good comes from the Lord,

If we spend more time with God, we can never get bored,

If we are loyal and faithful to Him, we will have a good record.

By Jonathan’s right doing, Mephibosheth was blessed,

In their friendship’s embrace, they found peace, no less,

Though life’s path had dealt him a challenging hand,

Friendship’s grace from Jonathan helped him stand.

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³² And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”

Jonathan, the son of King Saul in the Bible, is often remembered for his strong faith, loyalty, and friendship with David. The name Jonathan means Jehovah has given.

1 Samuel 14:1 (KJV) –  “Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.”

In 1 Samuel 14:1, we see that Jonathan did not work alone. He had an armor bearer. It is an act of faith to cooperate with others to accomplish the work that God has given us. God, Creator of all things with infinite power in His hands, does not work alone, even though He can do so. God assigns each angel tasks to carry out.

Moreover, He gives us human beings the privilege to cooperate with Him with our various abilities and resources and be a part of His grand plan. Jesus, the Son of God, had disciples to assist Him in spreading the gospel. Each great prophet had a mentee that he walked with. Elijah mentored Elisha. Jonathan was no exception. Jonathan had an armor bearer whom he mentored.

A YouTube content creator named Abel Mutua narrates how his Mercedes Benz got damaged inside his mechanic’s garage. The mechanic was highly trained in repairing Mercedes vehicles but did not train his subordinate staff. His subordinates were probably assigned light work, like playing the role of messengers in that workshop. Lack of capacity building made one of the interns damage the vehicle’s engine in that Abel could not use his car again.

Sometimes, people are reluctant to train and mentor those below them because they fear competition. They want to remain at the top and avoid anyone else coming close. Another reason is some are so preoccupied with their job that they barely find time to mentor others. Some place low regard on mentoring because they lack trust in others and think that other people cannot do the job as well as them. Therefore, they resolve to do the entire work alone without mentoring and delegating. 

1 Samuel 14:6 (KJV) – “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.”

“For there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” This is a statement of confidence. It is a statement of faith. Jonathan believed that God is victorious and the number of soldiers in battle would not determine His victory. Nothing stops the Lord from doing His work. Nothing prevents Him from making His children victorious. God allows us to cooperate with Him in His master plan, but He does not depend on us for the success of His work. It would be a tremendous thing if everyone in the world preached the gospel. However, God is not dependent on the number of people who choose to serve Him. If only one person in the world decides to serve God, God’s work will still be effective.

In the ancient world, the Israelite nation was the only nation that believed in God. Therefore, God used them mightily to pull more people to him from other countries. It would have been astounding if all nations believed in God. However, God’s work was not halted despite most of the population not believing in Him. If everyone in church returned tithe, it would be incredible. Studies have been conducted and have shown that in most churches, only 25% of the population faithfully return tithes and offerings. Despite the minority being faithful in returning offerings, operations in those churches run smoothly. God’s work will always succeed, whether by many or by few. Jonathan understood this. He might have spent his time wisely communing with God to know that.

1 Samuel 14:9-10 (KJV) – “⁹ If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. ¹⁰ But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.”

“The Lord has delivered them into our hand,” Jonathan spoke victory before he gained victory. The Bible says in Romans 8:37 (KJV) – “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” As children of God, we are not just conquerors but more than conquerors. We are not about to conquer. We have already conquered. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. What did Jonathan and his armor bearer hope for? They hoped for victory. They believed that they were victorious before they got the actual win.

Most people do not pursue their calling zealously because they are unsure whether it will succeed. They think of all the possibilities of failure, and as a result, they get discouraged before they start working on their given assignment. Some get discouraged by listening and looking at people who have failed when trying to pursue something similar to what they want to pursue. What they fail to understand is that we all have different paths.

The fact that somebody did not get a job after studying a certain course in college does not mean you won’t get a job if you take the same course. Just because someone has failed in a certain business does not mean you will also fail. Therefore, when embarking on whatever your hand has found to do, do not for a single moment think of failure or loss.

Believe that God has made you victorious before you begin doing any work. This belief will boost the level of quality of your work. People do mediocre work because they have allowed doubt to fill their minds. Many have the skill of writing, and God might have given them an idea of what to write, but they do not do it, or they do it reluctantly because they are unsure if the book will sell. Some have been given tremendous business ideas but fail to work on them, only to realize someone else has taken the same idea and succeeded in it.

Many people waste many hours at work scrolling through social media instead of working because they have fostered a negative perception. They think it pointless to do their best because they believe no matter what they do, they won’t be appreciated. Some might have been geared to think such thoughts because of interacting with people who are not diligent with their work or people who are constantly getting in trouble with their bosses because of a negative attitude and poor character.

Others have been called to do mission work in a certain area but have rejected the call because it is a strange land, and they fear the dangers that may befall them. Some will not keep the seventh day Sabbath even after they have read about it in the Bible and have been convicted by the Holy Spirit because they are afraid to lose their high-paying job. They fear failure instead of trusting in God, who has already given them victory.

1 Samuel 14:12-14 (KJV) – “¹² And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. ¹³ And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. ¹⁴ And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.”

Jonathan had previously pictured two possible scenarios. One scenario was the Philistines not telling them to come up, and the other was the Philistines telling them to come up to them (1 Samuel 14:9-10). Both scenarios favored them. If the Philistines had not asked them to come up, they would have been relieved of the struggle of fighting against them but if they told them to come up, they would have to fight them. However, they would still win the battle because the Lord had assured them of victory. The closer you move to God and the further you move away from sin, you won’t have to worry because all situations you will face (negative or positive) will favor you.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” All situations, whether good or bad, combine to work for good for those who love God. John 14:15 (KJV) – “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” The Bible tells us that loving God is keeping His commandments. Therefore, all things will work together for good to those who keep God’s commandments (those who love God).

If you acquire a chronic illness that makes you bedridden and causes you pain, that sickness is working for your good. If you are a genuine Christian and you lose your job or find no success in getting a job after graduating, those situations are working for your good. If you are unfairly charged guilty and locked up in prison, do not feel hopeless because that situation will turn out for your good. Joseph got his breakthrough through the ministry he did behind the prison walls. He was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. He stayed inside those grim and austere, impenetrable prison walls for 13 years. The prison experience was essential to prepare him for his position as Prime Minister.

“At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers. The psalmist says, “His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron: until the time that his word came to pass; the Word of the Lord tried him.” Psalm 105:18, 19, R.V. But Joseph’s real character shines out, even in the darkness of the dungeon. He held fast his faith and patience; his years of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid, yet this did not render him morose or distrustful. He had the peace that comes from conscious innocence, and he trusted his case with God. He did not brood upon his own wrongs, but forgot his sorrow in trying to lighten the sorrows of others. He found a work to do, even in the prison. God was preparing him in the school of affliction for greater usefulness, and he did not refuse the needful discipline. In the prison, witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny and the effects of crime, he learned lessons of justice, sympathy, and mercy that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 218.2, Ellen G. White.

In God’s government, it is either you win or you win. When you cooperate with God, you can never lose. Even when you seem to have failed, you have not lost. Lot took the most fertile land and left the rest for Abraham (Genesis 13:10-11). Abraham seemed to have lost. God gave Abraham the entire land, including what was Lot’s (Genesis 13:14-15). Later on, Sodom, the place that Lot chose, was destroyed by God. Therefore, Lot’s selfish ambition and pride made him lose. When you get mistreated or bullied by someone, while you are on the right, know that whoever has mistreated or bullied you is the one who has lost, not you. The same applies when you get rejected or underrated.

Daniel 3:16-18 (AMP) – “¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. ¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!”

Daniel’s friends knew that God is faithful and they would be victorious whether God would save them from the fiery furnace or not. Faith is trusting God in whatever outcome He may bring. Whether the results would be pleasant or unpleasant, faith is believing that God is always faithful no matter the circumstance. It is a blessing to suffer affliction when one is on God’s side.

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV) – “¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Jesus tells those tortured and persecuted people to rejoice for God’s sake. Being persecuted for Christ’s sake brings greater rewards, especially to those who have overcome. Revelation 3:21 (KJV) – “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in His throne.”

1 Samuel 14:15-16 (KJV) – “¹⁵ And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.”

There was a great trembling in the field. God is good (Psalm 100:5). However, His presence causes sinners to tremble. Hebrews 12:21 (KJV) – “And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake.” Moses was used to talking with God, but God’s presence still caused him to fear. Sin causes one to fear. Righteousness makes one courageous. Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) – “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Therefore, the closer you move to God, the less fear you will have. The more you uphold and practice righteous principles, the more people will respect you. Deuteronomy 28:10 (KJV) – “And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.” The people trembled when Jonathan and his armor bearer confronted them.

Jonathan’s faith in God caused their enemies to be confused, making them beat one another. When one harbors doubt in their heart and lacks confidence in God, their judgment gets distorted. The more one drifts away from God, the more confused they become because God is not an author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

1 Samuel 14:21 (KJV) – “Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.”

The Hebrews, who were previously with the Philistines, joined the Israelites. When God favors you, He makes even those who had left you return because nobody wants to be on the losing side. Proverbs 16:7 (KJV) – “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” In Hebrews 11:6, God promises rewards to those who please Him by faith. One of those rewards is making your enemies to be at peace with you.

1 Samuel 14:27 (KJV) – “But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.”

Saul had proclaimed a curse on anyone who would eat or taste anything. However, when Jonathan tasted that honey, his energy was restored. Jonathan tasted that honey because he was absent when his father issued that decree. Wherever he might have been when his father proclaimed that curse was the right place since he was serving God there.

The people were deprived of energy because they did not eat anything. Their lack of eating resulted from taking heed to a man who was once Godly but was drifting away from God. They lacked energy because of following ungodly advice. Psalm 1:1 (KJV) – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.” Jonathan did not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, even though the counsel was coming from his father. Therefore, he was blessed as his energy was restored. The other Israelites walked in Saul’s counsel, and as a result, they lacked sufficient power.

The question is, who was Saul? Saul was the king of Israel. Ungodly advice that influences a great multitude usually comes from people with lofty positions of authority in society. However, such advice results in dire consequences. Many have suffered because of subscribing to the wrong advice from people who are seen to be highly educated and rich. Ephesians 6:1 (KJV) – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” God had not instructed Saul to issue the decree he had given to the people. Therefore, disobeying it would bring no curse. The Bible says in Proverbs 26:2 (KJV) – “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” Saul’s curse was causeless.

Jonathan did not hear when his father put the people under oath. Being in the right place gives one fabulous blessings. The right place is not always where most people are or where the most money is. It is where God has commanded you to be. God might be telling you to leave your job and serve Him, but you are tightly holding on to it because it gives you ‘security’ by paying you a lot of money.

God might be telling you to change your diet and stop eating unhealthy food, but you continue eating them because they are tasty. Daniel and his friends rejected the king’s meat and his wine. They refused the ‘best’ food in the land. “The best that the world has to offer is not good enough for God’s children.” – Pastor Randy Skeete.

You might have read the Bible when it says numerous times that the seventh day is the Sabbath, but you don’t follow it because the majority of the Christian world does not keep the Sabbath holy. Jonathan’s energy was restored after he tasted the honey. He received a blessing that the other Israelites did not receive by having his energy restored because of heeding God’s commandment. The rest of the population heeded Saul’s commandment.

God might have given you a lucrative idea to make more money, but a respectable top religious leader tells you that it is against God’s will to make a lot of money and that you should only make enough for yourself and your family. This advice seems right and sounds right, but it is not right. Myron Golden says, “It is a selfish ambition to desire to make money that is just enough for you.” We are created to be a blessing. Genuine Christians should aim to make more so that they can help more. Secondly, serving more people with your business is a righteous act and it results in more money.

1 Samuel 14:29 (KJV) – “Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.”

“Honey of God’s Providing — This rash oath of Saul’s was a human invention. It was not inspired of God, and God was displeased with it. Jonathan and his armor-bearer, who, through God, had wrought deliverance for Israel that day, had become weak through hunger. The people also were weary and hungry.”- SDA Bible Commentary, Volume 2, Page 1015.7, Ellen G. White.

“And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.” This honey was of God’s own providing. He desired that the armies of Israel should partake of this food, and receive strength. But Saul, who was not under the direction of God, had interposed his rash oath.” – The Youth’s Instructor, December 1, 1898, Ellen G. White.

“Man-invented Tests Dishonor God—There are many who will lightly regard the tests which God has given, and will assume the responsibility of creating tests and prohibitions, as did Saul, which bring dishonor to God and evil to men.” – The Signs of the Times, June 1, 1888, Ellen G. White.

Jonathan did not fear to tell the people the truth. He said to them that his father had troubled the land. He knew his father was wrong and chose not to withhold what was good from the people by telling them the truth. Some people know that doing a certain traditional practice is wrong but keep doing it because their parents and relatives do it. Jonathan’s eyes were enlightened because he tasted a little bit of that honey. How much better would it have been for him if he had tasted a little more?

A small act of faith in God gives one bigger blessings than they had expected. Just by the small righteous act of allowing Lot to choose first the land that he wanted, God ended up giving Abraham the entire land. If God can bestow magnanimous blessings on such a small act, how much more would God do for you when your life’s practices are inseparable from righteousness?

Jonathan was one out of thousands or millions of Israelites who had his energy restored and his eyes enlightened from tasting that honey. It would have been much better if all the Israelites had tasted that honey. Very few people are blessed to astonishing levels because very few people follow God’s commandments to the letter. I have heard numerous times Christians saying that the Bible should not be fully obeyed. I have heard various people saying, “You know there is Christianity, and there is reality.” To them, Christianity is not reality.

God’s Word will show its work in full power if you allow it to lead your life. God’s Word has not proved its full potential in the lives of various people because people do not want to apply it. They only want to obey the principles that are favorable to them. We would have a world close to heaven if we all obeyed God fully. The environment would not be polluted. There would be minimal or no unemployment, crime would be absent, and poverty and diseases would not be there. It is possible to have a society where no one is sick or poor. No one lacked in the early church.

The Bible says in Acts 4:33-34 (KJV) – “³³ And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.”

1 Samuel 14:30 (AMP) – “How much better [it would have been] if only the people had eaten freely today from the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

Jonathan said the battle against the Philistines was victorious, but the victory would have been greater if they had eaten the honey. We may have attained slight success in our endeavors, but we would achieve greater success if we fully obeyed God’s commands.

1 Samuel 14:45 (AMP) – “But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan, who has brought about this great victory in Israel, be put to death? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan and he was not put to death.”

The people did not want Jonathan to die because he brought a great victory to Israel. Jonathan walked with God. When you walk and work with God, He prevents you from harm. Psalm 23:1 (KJV) – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 91:1 (KJV) – “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.” The people rescued Jonathan. When you are in the habit of blessing people, they will look for ways to bless you back.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 (KJV) – “¹ 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. ² And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. ³ Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. ⁴ And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”

Mark 12:31 (AMP) – “You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.” Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Jonathan stripped the armor he was wearing and gave it to David. It is an act of faith to help others, especially when we do it sacrificially. Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) – “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

If we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we would fast and pray for them the way we fast and pray for ourselves. If we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we would invite them to church. If we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we will share with them the good knowledge we have acquired and present opportunities that come our way to them.

“The worshiper of God will find that he cannot cherish one fiber of the root of selfishness. He cannot do his duty to his God and practice oppression toward his fellow men. The second principle of the law is like unto the first, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” “This do and thou shalt live.” These are the words of Jesus Christ from which there can be no departure on the part of any man, woman, or youth who would be a true Christian. It is obedience to the principles of the commandments of God that molds the character after the divine similitude.” – Sons and Daughters of God, Page 52, Ellen G. White.

“To leave a suffering neighbor unrelieved is a breach of the law of God…. He who loves God will not only love his fellow men, but will regard with tender compassion the creatures which God has made. When the Spirit of God is in man it leads him to relieve rather than to create suffering…. We are to care for every case of suffering, and to look upon ourselves as God’s agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability. We are to be laborers together with God. There are some who manifest great affection for their relatives, for their friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kind and considerate to those who need tender sympathy, who need kindness and love. With earnest heart, let us inquire, who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our neighbors and special friends, are not simply those who belong to our church or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. We are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God. We are to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves.” – Sons and Daughters of God, Page 52, Ellen G. White.

1 Samuel 19:1-4 (KJV) – “¹ And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. ² But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: ³ And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. ⁴ And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good.”

Jonathan honored his father, but he glorified God more, which is why He did not kill David when he was instructed by his father to do so. Many of us would intentionally sin because we have esteemed our parents or relatives more than we have esteemed God. There are many instances where people have left their marriages because their parents have advised them to do so.

It is not unusual to see parents advising their son to leave his wife because she is not giving birth. It is common to see a parent advising their daughter to exit an engagement because the man has no money or to leave a marriage because he has lost his job. The wrong advice is like an opposing wave to a sailing ship; follow it, and you are assured of sinking.

1 Samuel 20:32-34 (KJV) – “³² And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? What hath he done? ³³ And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. ³⁴ So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.”

Jonathan did not eat because of his love for David. He could not allow anyone to do injustice to David. This passage highlights the strong bond between Jonathan and David. It underscores the theme of friendship, loyalty, and the moral character of these biblical figures. Jonathan’s actions in this context demonstrate his love and commitment to justice and his friend David.

2 Samuel 9:6-13 (AMP) – “⁶ Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell face down and lay himself down [in respect]. David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” ⁷ David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will certainly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall always eat at my table.” ⁸ Again Mephibosheth lay himself face down and said, “What is your servant, that you would be concerned for a dead dog like me?” ⁹ Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and to all his house (family). ¹⁰ You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat; but Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. ¹¹ Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do according to everything that my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons. ¹² Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth. ¹³ So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table. And he was lame in both feet.”

“One of the first acts of the new-crowned monarch was to express his tender regard for the memory of Saul and Jonathan. Upon learning of the brave deed of the men of Jabesh-gilead in rescuing the bodies of the fallen leaders and giving them honorable burial, David sent an embassy to Jabesh with the message, “Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your Lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness.” And he announced his own accession to the throne of Judah and invited the allegiance of those who had proved themselves so truehearted.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 697.4, Ellen G. White.

“David, in his covenant with Jonathan, had promised that when he should have rest from his enemies he would show kindness to the house of Saul. In his prosperity, mindful of this covenant, the king made inquiry, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He was told of a son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, who had been lame from childhood. At the time of Saul’s defeat by the Philistines at Jezreel, the nurse of this child, attempting to flee with him, had let him fall, thus making him a lifelong cripple. David now summoned the young man to court and received him with great kindness. The private possessions of Saul were restored to him for the support of his household; but the son of Jonathan was himself to be the constant guest of the king, sitting daily at the royal table. Through reports from the enemies of David, Mephibosheth had been led to cherish a strong prejudice against him as a usurper; but the monarch’s generous and courteous reception of him and his continued kindness won the heart of the young man; he became strongly attached to David, and, like his father Jonathan, he felt that his interest was one with that of the king whom God had chosen.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 713.1, Ellen G. White.

David rewarded Mephibosheth Jonathan’s son. God will always reward you for every good thing that you do. You will receive certain rewards immediately, while some you will receive after a few years, and others will be received by your children or future generations. Every action of faith is like a seed sown; it may not grow today or tomorrow, but it will surely grow.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Prayer

Dear God, help me to be loyal to people and help me love them as I love myself. Help me to have you as my first priority. In Jesus name, Amen.

Activity

1. Think of occasions where people have been good to you and write them down.
2. Write down the list of the people close to you and prayerfully find out ways on how you can benefit them.

Author: Mark Alex   

BUY MY EBOOK: A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW

A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4atSjuO

A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I’M NEVER RUNNING LOW (Google Play): https://bit.ly/4i9fXQp

Email: gettruthgetlife@gmail.com 

Phone Number: +254710633247   

My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-alex-0b87a9109/

PayPal: gettruthgetlife@gmail.com  

Revolut: revolut.me/markalex92