Day 2

TRUST AND LOYALTY

What happened to Maisy was the result of actions from the best of intentions. But not only was her own confidence shaken by discovering that her problems had become common knowledge but the reputation of her family was damaged in the eyes of the church members. She hoped to influence her mother and brother and wanted their actions towards her to remain secret. The two people she trusted most failed to help her balance her need of help with her loyalty to her family.

Jonathan had a conflict of two loyalties. Obviously he loved his father but he also loved his closest friend (1 Sam. 18:1-4) and was distressed by his father's unjust behaviour towards David. As David's popularity grew with his victories (1 Sam. 18:6,7,16) Saul became increasingly jealous of him (v 9) and afraid of him (v 12,29). First Saul attempted to kill him with a javelin and then by demanding a dangerous service before he could marry Michal.

Jonathan had every reason to be David's enemy for because of David he knew he would not succeed to Saul's throne. Look back at 1 Sam. 15:28,29 and 1 Sam. 20:30-33. Saul was obsessed with himself and his own glory but Jonathan was more concerned with justice than his own gain. The anger he showed at his father's actions was righteous indignation (v 34) caused by shame.

How important is keeping confidences to a relationship? Do you share secrets with friends you would rather no-one else knew? When are you justified in breaking that confidence?

Saul did all he could to hold on to his power and position, even opposing God's will. Why was Jonathan so different from his father?