David and Jonathan Bible Story - Bible Stories for Kids

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David and Jonathan Bible Story

1 Samuel 19:9-20:44 Psalm 59

Just after David killed Goliath, Saulbrought David back to his palace.That was where David first met Jonathan. Jonathan was Saul's sonand Michal's brother.

On that day, David had beentalking with Saul. David heardsomeone behind him. He turned, andsaw Jonathan. The two young menhad stared at each other.

In that split second, the soul ofJonathan was knit to the soul ofDavid. Jonathan knew he had found abest friend for life. From that momenton, Jonathan loved David as himself.The two young men promised to bebest friends forever and ever. Jonathangave his robe, sword, bow and belt toDavid.

Years later, Saul told Jonathan andhis servants to kill David.

But Jonathan was more than abrother to David. He ran to him andsaid, "My father wants to kill you!Please, be very, very careful in themorning. You must hide. Then I willtalk to my father about you."

Jonathan spent the next morningwith his father. He talked about howgood David was and how wrong Saulwas to try and have him killed.

Finally, Saul promised not to hurtDavid. David came back to the palace.But Saul did not keep his promise.Soon he became angry all over again.

Saul could not be trusted. Oneevening, David was playing his harpfor Saul. Suddenly, Saul sprang out ofhis chair and grabbed his spear! Heflung it with all his might at David.David ran from the room as fast as hecould. He just barely got away.

That night David's wife Michalhelped him escape from Saul's soldiers.David made his way to Samuel'shome. He told him everything thathad happened. Then David circledback and found Jonathan.

"What have I done?" he cried.Jonathan and David thought up aplan. They agreed on a signal.

Jonathan would talk with Saul aboutDavid. Afterwards Jonathan would gointo the field and practice shootingarrows. If Saul really did want to huntdown David and kill him, Jonathanwould shout at the boy chasing hisarrows, "Look, the arrows are beyondyou." That would be David's signal.Jonathan walked with David out tothe field where they would soon meetagain. The two young men felt veryclose. Jonathan cried out to God, "Beour Witness! If my father wants tohurt David and I don't warn him, letthe Lord punish me. Let my childrenand his be best of friends forever, evenafter the Lord destroys all of David'senemies!" Then David hid in the field.Jonathan went back to wait for his father.

Two days later, Jonathan askedSaul about David. His father flew intoa rage. Saul even threw his spear atJonathan, but missed.

The next morning, Jonathan ran tothe field with his bow and arrow. Heshot an arrow and told the boy whowas chasing it, "Look, the arrows arebeyond you. Go quickly!" Then hesent the boy home. David came out ofhiding.

David fell down on the ground atJonathan's feet. The two friends wereso sad they hugged and cried. Bothyoung men knew it would be a longtime before they could see each otheragain.

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