Lesson 2
 El Shaddai – The All-Sufficient One (1 Samuel 20:17b, 42; and Genesis 17:1 for the first mention of this name)
Read 1 Samuel 18-20 www.bible.com/bible/59/1sa.18.esv

After David killed the Philistine giant Goliath, King Saul invited him to live in the palace. Saul’s son Jonathan became close friends with David; and El Shaddai, our All-sufficient God, used this friendship to save David’s life. Saul was very jealous of David because he knew that God had chosen David to be king after Saul, instead of his son Jonathan. Saul even ordered Jonathan to kill David, but Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself – with God’s unconditional love – and refused. The Bible says God gave the people a love for David, making David a very popular man with more people than just Jonathan.

After David successfully fought in another war against the Philistines, he became a hero to the Israelite people. Saul was filled with jealousy again and tried to kill him. David fled for his life, then met with Jonathan and asked why Saul wanted to kill him. Jonathan tried to reassure him, promising again he’d do anything for David. If someone else gets the job you’ve been waiting for, can you still love them? Would you be able to be their best friend?

They decided David would not attend the three-day feast. Jonathan would find out how his father felt about David when Saul noticed that he wasn’t there. Jonathan reminded David that God was with them – He was their All-Sufficient One, their Protector and Security. On the second day of feast, Saul asked Jonathan where David was. Jonathan told his father that David was with his family. Saul exploded in anger and accused Jonathan of protecting David, demanding that he bring David to Saul immediately; he was a threat to Jonathan becoming king, so he must die. Jonathan asked his father what David had done to deserve death. Saul, filled with murderous rage, threw his spear at his son! This was more than enough proof for Jonathan that Saul was definitely determined to kill David. Jonathan was furious and stormed away from the table – worried sick about his best friend David, and embarrassed over his father’s display of jealous rage.

Jonathan met David out in the field the next morning, as they had planned. Jonathan told David he needed to run for his life. David and Jonathan wept together, not knowing when or if they’d see each other again. Jonathan sent his best friend away in peace, reminding him that their friendship was anchored in God’s strong name, El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*What’s the difference between Saul’s anger and Jonathan’s anger? (20:34) Remember times when you’ve experienced both types of anger.
*Who do you love as yourself? Who should you love as yourself? (Matthew 22:39)
*Which Friend loved you enough to die in your place? (John 15:13, 15)