Jonathan and David, Resolute Friends

Echoes adult

Jonathan and David, Resolute Friends

Lesson 3
Summer 2026
By: RLD Editorial Team
June 21, 2026

Lesson Focus:

Lean into the roles that God has for you.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:16–17, 32–34, 42; 2 Samuel 1:26–27; 21:7

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

None

Summary & Links:

Jonathan supports what God is doing through David.

Any videos or web materials are for your personal use.
If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Playlists:
Contemporary Worship Weekly
Echoes Worship Weekly
Traditional Worship Weekly

Study Resources:
Commentary: Roger Nam’s “Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27”
Article: Tim Mackie on “David: What’s the Big Deal?”
Article: Blair Parke’s “Who Is Mephibosheth and What Does His Life Teach Us about Unexpected Blessings?”

Memory Verse:

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
—1 Samuel 20:42

Jonathan supports what God is doing through David.

Materials Needed:

None

BASKETBALL’S BEST TEAMMATE
Recently the NBA player DeAndre Jordan—a towering center for the New Orleans Pelicans—was awarded the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. Jordan happens to be a Christian, and he has been rather open about his faith in the past. His latest award is given to a player who exhibits selflessness, both on and off the court. This award for being an exceptional teammate pays tribute to two teammates from the 1950s, Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes. When Stokes was paralyzed, his former teammate, Twyman, became his legal guardian and lifelong advocate.

AN ANOINTED KING’S BEST ALLY
Fresh off his victory over Goliath, David presents himself to King Saul and the crown prince, Jonathan. Whereas Saul is trying to control David, Jonathan makes an alliance with him. Jonathan gives David gifts that treat him like a prince. Jonathan stands up to his father on behalf of David. Jonathan and David part as friends, vowing to remain loyal to the families of one another forever. Later when Jonathan is killed in battle alongside King Saul, David memorializes these men in song and praises his fallen friend. David later shows kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth.

Questions

What makes the best teammate in your book (could be in a game, at work, or in business)?
How do you think that Jonathan came to accept that David was God’s choice of king?
When have you needed to step aside and to let another person lead?

Looking for Steps 2, 3 & 4?

You can find Steps 2, 3 & 4 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Echoes adult