Unqualified Love

Day 3

Memory Verse: I John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Read Psalm 63, a Psalm of David

And now we turn our attention to Ruth’s great-grandson, David and his best friend, Jonathan. I love these two guys! I especially love Jonathan’s selfless faith and unqualified love. 

Jonathan’s father, Saul, was chosen by God to be the first King of Israel, (I Samuel 10.) He was chosen because, in the eyes of the people, he was the most qualified man to rule the nation. He was taller than most men, handsome, athletic, and came from a good family with a good reputation. Isn’t this exactly what we look for in our leaders? But he was also insecure – in himself, but also in the Lord’s working through him – and this insecurity led to arrogance, as it so often does. He made the Lord very angry in I Samuel 13 when he offered an unlawful sacrifice, and the Lord promised then and there to replace him as king. 

And who did God look for as a replacement? Well, he went after the seemingly unqualified, young shepherd boy and harpist, David. Now we know the end of the story – how David became a great warrior and a king who was called “a man after God’s own heart,” and who became the ancestor of our Savior, Jesus. But put yourself in Saul’s and Jonathan’s shoes. Along came this young kid who captured the hearts of the people, despite the fact that he was just a shepherd! It’s no wonder that Saul became very jealous!But Jonathan wasn’t. Jonathan looked past the lack of qualifications and saw in David what the Lord saw in David. And rather than hold on to the kingship for himself – he could have, you know, because he was the rightful heir to the throne after his father – he willingly gave it up for David and for the Lord! In I Samuel 23:16, (NLT) we read, “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” This is amazing to me! In his unqualified love for David, Jonathan looked past David’s lack of qualifications to be the king, accepted the Lord’s will, and declared that he will be David’s strongest ally in his kingdom! What a beautiful love story!