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Lesson 1 10.04.20

Love Seeks Justice

1 Samuel 19:1–7

Background Scriptures: 1 Samuel 19:1–7; 23:1–18; 2 Samuel 9

SAUL spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul’s son Jonathan took great delight in David.

2 Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you.”

4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you;

5 for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?”

6 Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”

7 So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

Dictionary Term:Philistines /’file-stēns/ Non-Jewish people of ancient southern Palestine who came into conflict with the Israelites during the 12th and 11th centuries BC.

KEY VERSE: So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.(1 Samuel 19:7, NRSV)

How far would you go to stand up for what is right? Would you go against the opinions of strangers, your friends, even your family? What if you knew they weren’t being honest, just, and fair? There is a phenomenon called the bystander effect, which states that people are less likely to offer help and support to those in need when others are present. Some believe this is because everyone who’s present assumes the same thing: that someone else will get involved and lend a helping hand. In bullying situations, there is a fear that reaching out will result in becoming the target. Whatever the reason, the bystander effect makes it difficult for people to stand up for justice in the presence of strangers.

It can be even more daunting when we are asked to stand our ground against friends and family. Have you ever sat quietly as your friends or family members had conversations filled with gossip or wrong information? Maybe you were present when a friend picked on someone else or was engaged in an activity that was morally wrong. Seeking the approval of people we care about is natural, but our first obligation is to God and His commands. In today’s lesson, we will learn about King Saul, his son Jonathan, and David. When jealousy filled the king’s heart and he threatened the life of God’s chosen warrior, one man stood against the spirit of evil to spread peace and protect his closest friend.

The Conflict of King Saul

When David stepped onto the battlefield against the giant Goliath, he was guided by God. His victory against the Philistine was a public event that glorified God but also shined favor down on the humble boy with a sling who did God’s will. Initially, King Saul was pleased with David for his victory over Goliath, and he praised the young man. But that joy soon turned to jealousy as King Saul began to see that David was gaining attention because of his other battlefield heroics against the Philistines. The jealousy grew into hatred, and soon King Saul wanted David to be killed.

Describe a time when you were afraid to stand up for what was right.

Work with your youth group to list some ways to stand against injustice.

However, King Saul’s son, Jonathan, was close friends with David and warned him that the king was plotting to have him killed. David was able to hide while Jonathan talked on his behalf to King Saul. Jonathan understood that David wasn’t in the wrong and risked the wrath of his father to stand up for what was right.

There are times when you will have to decide whether or not to go against wrongs committed by your loved ones or stand strong on behalf of peace, love, and justice. Just as Jonathan was determined to brave the anger of his father, you might face judgment and ridicule, maybe even from family and friends. Jonathan was able to do what he did because he understood that David lived according to the will of God, who is greater than any human on earth. God’s power and grace will always be more infinite and powerful than whatever difficulties we face from others.

Jonathan Stands for David

While David hid in the field, Jonathan brought his father to a nearby spot and advocated for David’s life. He reminded King Saul that David acted valiantly and helped them during the battle against Goliath, and the Lord brought victory. Jonathan called David an innocent man and asked his father not to sin by punishing him. Moved by his son’s request, King Saul spared David’s life. While King Saul’s promise was temporary, Jonathan’s willingness to do what was right saved his friend from death. He showed true friendship to David and risked his own well-being to stand up for David. Jonathan knew his father could easily turn his rage on him, but that didn’t stop him from speaking the truth. He is a model for us all when faced with doing the right thing even though we might suffer for it.

Another model in this lesson is David himself. Despite King Saul’s cruelty, hatred, jealousy, and madness toward him, David was never disrespectful to the king. It can be difficult for us to not sink down to the level of those who mistreat us. But when we are centered in the Lord, it is possible to hold on to Christian values and maintain our integrity. When we have an attitude of respect and peacefulness during these trying situations, resolving conflicts and clearing the air after a battle is easier. Remember that the high road always has the better view!

Was there a time when you felt conflicted between being respectful versus emotional?

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How should you handle conflicts with loved ones, especially when they are adults?

Dionne sat quietly at the lunch table as her older cousin Denise talked with their friends. Lately, Denise had become catty and rude and had even started roast sessions about other kids at school. At first Dionne thought Denise was just going through a phase, trying to be funny for the lunch crew or making herself seem better than the others. But now it was getting out of hand, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be a part of it anymore.

“Why are you so quiet over there?” Denise asked. “Can’t you keep up? C’mon, let’s all go outside.”

“I’m not really feeling this conversation,” Dionne admitted with a sigh. She started to gather up her trash. “I think I’m going to study hall for a while to prep for the Algebra test.”

“What? You too good to talk to us now?” Denise asked, rolling her eyes. “You’re always acting funny these days.”

This was how Denise usually got her way. Whenever she started teasing and name-calling, Dionne would back down. But enough was enough. She didn’t know what to say and didn’t want to let her anger show, so she just shook her head and walked away. She wasn’t about to get into a shouting match in the cafeteria even though she was frustrated. She wandered toward study hall while praying that God would help her know what to do. She’d have to talk to Denise, but she knew there would be a better time.

Why is it important to stand up for others even when they’ll never know anything about it?

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