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Father, thank you, for giving us wisdom and understanding of your Word. Father, thank you, for whatsoever things that were written before Pentecost were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Father, thank you for each person reading this monthly teaching of your Word. May they learn what your will is and act on your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the May article, we learned as children of God we are not to believe every spirit or prophet. We also learned we are God's children, and greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). God's Word says, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God shall have God dwelled in him and him in God" (1 John 4:15). The word of God is the will of God.

The reason we are alive today is because of God's love, mercy, and grace. Therefore, we now have a life that is more than abundant. We now have the authority and power in the name of Jesus Christ to live victoriously.

This month's teaching is on souls knitted together in love. We will read some of the records in Samuel regarding David and Jonathan whose souls were knitted together in love.

Let me give you some background from 1 Samuel 17. The children of Israel were at war with the Philistines. The Philistines sent a champion out of their camp named Goliath. The Philistines asked Israel to send their champion to fight with Goliath. If Israel's champion fought with Goliath and killed him, the Philistines would be servants to Israel. But if Goliath killed Israel's champion, then Israel would be servants to the Philistines. No one in Israel's camp wanted to face Goliath in battle. When they saw how big he was, they were all afraid. Then David, following his father's instructions, came to the camp to bring food and see how his brothers were doing in the battle. David heard Goliath defy the armies of Israel, and he persuaded Saul the King to let him fight Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:46-47: David said to Goliath:

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.

The story continues in 1 Samuel 17:50-51:

So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Therefore, David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

I encourage you to read all of 1 Samuel 17. It is a tremendous chapter!

After the Lord brought about this great victory by hands of David, he was brought to Saul the King. We will read in the book of Samuel one of the greatest examples in God's Word of two souls knitted together in love - David and Jonathan. We are going to read God's Word and see how David and Jonathan's souls were knitted together in love.

First let's understand the usage of the word "love." The word "love" here is not Eros love, which is sexual passion and desire. This love between Jonathan and David was the love of God or Agape (see February 2018 teaching on the different kinds of love in the Bible). The Hebrew translation from which this record comes, defines love as the unspeakable love and tender mercies of God in covenant with His people. It implies ardent and vehement inclination of the mind. This same kind of love is used in Ruth 4:15 and 1 Kings 3:3.

With this understanding, let's look at 1 Samuel 18:1:

And it came to pass, when he [David] had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him [David] as his own soul [self].

Jonathan loved David as his own soul or self. King Saul took David and made him a part of his household. Let us read 1 Samuel 18:2-3:

And Saul took him [David] that day and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he [Jonathan] loved him [David] as his own soul.

God's Word established that Jonathan loved David as his own soul. When the same words are used twice in God's Word, it is established. Genesis 41:32: says:

And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God.

Jonathan loved David as his own self and they made a covenant together. Jonathan committed himself to serving David as King. In 1 Samuel 18:4 we learn:

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.

Jonathan was the oldest son of King Saul and the next heir to the throne. But he gave his heirship to David. Jonathan's father Saul wanted to kill David, because Jonathan would not be established as the next king if David lived. But Jonathan and David's souls were knitted together in love; they had made a covenant together. The story continues in 1 Samuel 18:5-9:

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand.

And Saul was very wroth [angry], and the saying displeased him; and he said, they have ascribed unto David ten thousand, and to me they have ascribed but thousand: and what can he [David] have more but the kingdom?

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

Now we see why King Saul wanted David killed. But verse 12 of 1 Samuel 18 says: "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him."

I say to you when the Lord is with you, no one can kill you! Jonathan told David of his father's plan to kill him. Let's us read 1 Samuel 19:1-2:

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

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.

Jonathan then talked to his father about David, and shared good things about David. We see in 1 Samuel 19:3-4 what happens:

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.

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.

David had not sinned against King Saul. His works toward King Saul were good. David had not given King Saul a reason to kill him. Let's continue with 1 Samuel 19:5 where Jonathan continues to talk with his father:

For he [David] did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Jonathan was interceding for David with his father, as their souls were knitted together in love, and because David was innocent. Who "wrought a great salvation for all Israel?" The Lord through David's actions brought salvation to Israel. Jonathan's father Saul listened to his son and decided not to kill David. We see this in 1 Samuel 19:6:

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.

Jonathan talked to David, and told him all that was said to his father. We continue with 1 Samuel 19:7-9:

And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he [David] was in his presence, as in times past.

And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

The words "evil spirit from the Lord," cannot be true because God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). This phrase is a Hebrew idiom where everything is attributed to God. God's Word says in James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man."

Despite telling Jonathon in the 1 Samuel 19:6 that he would not kill David, Saul again seeks David's life. He becomes jealous of David. Look at 1 Samuel 19:10:

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

David was now on the run from King Saul. He doesn't understand why Saul wants to kill him again. Let's us read 1 Samuel 20:1-2:

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, what have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

And he [Jonathan] said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

Look how Jonathan encouraged David and reassured him that David will not die. Remember, Jonathon and David shared Agape love or the unspeakable love and tender mercies of God in covenant with His people. David replied to Jonathan's encouragement in 1 Samuel 20:3-4:

And David sware moreover, and said, thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Then said Jonathan unto David, whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Because Jonathan and David's souls were knitted together in love, Jonathan, said "whatsoever your soul desire I will do it." Then David tells him what his soul desires in 1 Samuel 20:5-7:

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon [Sabbath day], and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

If he says thus, it is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him [Saul].

David reminded Jonathan that they made a covenant before the Lord. David tells Jonathan to kill him if there be sin in him in 1 Samuel 20:8:

Therefore, thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity [sin], slay [kill] me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

The love between Jonathan and David was as strong as the love between God and His people. Isn't that incredible? Jonathon tells David he will not cut his kindness from his house forever. See 1 Samuel 20:15-17:

But also, thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David everyone from the face of the earth.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Again, God's Word tells us three times that Jonathan loved David. Every time I read these records I get so blessed seeing how God protected David. This teaching is a wonderful example of what it means to have our souls knitted together in love like Jonathan and David had. It continually reminds me that this is the same love that God has with his people.

Let us read 1 Samuel 31:1-6 where the Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan.

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons.

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore, Saul took a sword and fell upon it.

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

So, Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

In order to understand why God removed His protection from Saul, you will need to read the record in 1 Samuel 28. You will learn that Saul sought a witch from Endor and got possessed with a devil spirit.

Let us continue with 2 Samuel 1: 23-27. This is a beautiful Eulogy written by Samuel in recognition of Saul and Jonathan's life.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death, they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

These beautiful words speak to the love Jonathan and David had for each other. Their souls were knitted together in Agape - God's love. David had a heart of love even toward Saul who tried many times to kill him.
There are so many opportunities for learning in these records. Just think for a moment - Jonathan and David were not born-again of God's Spirit, because it was not yet available. But they loved one another with same kind of love that God has for his people. We are born-again of God's Spirit. We have the love nature of God (Romans 5:5). Our spirit is knitted together in Christ! Brothers and Sisters, let our souls be knitted together in love in the body of Christ!

In Acts 13:22, God's Word tells us David was a man after God's heart and fulfilled all of God's Will!

And when he [God] had removed him [Saul], he [God] raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

My hope and desire is that when my life is over, my beloved heavenly Father will say these same words that he spoke about David to me. God will say "I have found him to be a man after my heart and he did my will."

God blessed David in many ways because David demonstrated the love of God. David fulfilled God's Will. Acts 13:23 tells us that from David's seed or genetic line came the savior Jesus Christ!

Of this man's seed [David] hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus.

I lovingly implore you to read 1st and 2nd Samuel with this new insight. It will bless your soul to read about God's love as demonstrated through Jonathon and David's commitment to one another.

The Lord was with David. God put the Philistine's champion into David's' hands and brought a great victory to Israel. King Saul took David to his household, and Jonathan, Saul's son, loved David as his own soul. Jonathan and David souls were knitted together in love. When Saul became jealous of David, he tried many times to kill him. But Jonathan kept David informed of his father's plan because of their covenant with one another which they made before the Lord. David loved Jonathan with Agape love - the love of God. David wrote a beautiful Eulogy in recognition of Saul and Jonathan's lives. God said "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will" (Acts 13:22). May we all have a heart to fulfill God's will!

Father, thank you that our hearts might be comforted, being knitted together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding of your Word. May our hearts greatly desire to fulfill your Will. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation, be with us all. Amen

Next month's teaching subject: Love in the Household and in the one body.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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