Saul and David: A Tale of Two Kings...

This week we will talk about:

1. The Lord's Method for Choosing Leaders: Samuel identifies David as a new king to replace Saul
   
2. Overcoming Obstacles in Life: David subdues Goliath
3. BFF's: David and Jonathan a story of covenant friendship
4. Respect for Authority: David spares Saul's life out of respect for his office (despite Saul's repeated attempts to take his life)

What can be learned about the short reign of Saul the Benjaminite?
The story of Jonathan and David reminds us that true friendship and love bring us closer to our friends and to God. The story of Saul reminds us that jealousy and hatred can consume us and lead us away from our friends and from God. Be true to your friends so you can say to them, “The Lord be between thee and me for ever” (1 Samuel 20:23).

Reading Assignment: 1 Samuel 18-20; 23-24. Suggested Supplemental Reading: 1 Samuel 14-17; 2 Samuel 1; Alma 17.

I was contacted by a good friend this week who I have not seen for many years. We served together in the mission field many years ago in Arequipa, Peru. His letter to me was as follows:
"Long time since Peru. Always great to have an Alma 17 moment with my friends. What are you up to and how are you doing? I live in...etc."

As I thought back on my friendship with this missionary comrade from my youth his obvious reference to Alma the younger caused me to see the parallels in our lives: "1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of ^aManti, behold, to his astonishment, he ^bmet with the ^csons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel ^afirst appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had ^bsearched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and ^afasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with ^bpower and authority of God."
Like Jonathan and the sons of Mosiah, our true friends are those who keep their covenants with us and more importantly with the Lord. When the Lord blesses us with such relationships we have cause to rejoice together in the cause of truth as we seek after the righteousness and saving grace of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Have a great week brothers and sisters and remember who you are!