Day2
1Samuel 20
Week 35
“In the morning Jonathan went out to the field at the time appointed with David, and a little boy was with him. And he said to his boy, “Run, find the arrows which I shoot.” He ran, and he shot the arrow over him. When the boy came to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” Then Jonathan cried after the boy, “Hurry quickly! Do not stay!” And Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrow and came to his master. But the boy did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.” When the boy had gone, David arose from the south side of the stone, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept together, but David wept more. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since the two of us swore in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ” So he arose and departed, but Jonathan went into the city.”
1 Samuel 20:35-42 MEV
Cross references
1 Samuel 20:22;
1 Samuel 18:3;
1 Samuel 1:17
Significant
When was the last time that you bowed before someone?
There were several different ways of bowing in Bible times. These ranged from lowing the head to bending the knees to kneeling down before another person.
The most extreme form of bowing would be to kneel down, then lean forward and placed ones head on the ground. This would indicate ones attitude of respect, reverence, and humility towards another person.
The number 3 is also significant.
Symbolically the number 3 represents covenants. In the Church we make all of our covenants with our Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ and the covenant is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise or the Holy Ghost. Hence, the godhead, represented by the number 3, are all involved in the covenant making process.
When a husband and wife are married and sealed in the temple, the covenant is a three way relationship between husband, wife and the Savior Jesus Christ.
In Hebrew, the number three is transliterated into English as: salos
And appears as the following in Hebrew:
שלש
The Shin ש is a symbol of the tree of life, burning bush, fire and spirit. Christ is the tree of life as well as the burning bush. Fire and spirit also represent the Holy Ghost. The Lamed ל is a symbol of the staff, word of God or covenant. So the word for the number three in Hebrew is centered with covenant surrounded on both sides by members of the godhead in a three way relationship. In fact, including the number three in Hebrew, most Hebrew words are rooted in three Hebrew letters so that the entire language is symbolically a reminder of the covenant relationship we have with the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
David bowed 3 times before Jonathan. Once out of humility, another for respect/honor and finally covenant.
Why is this significant for us today?
In our culture, these concepts are almost nonexistent.
We serve a God who is three people, but one God of Covenant. This Biblical world view is important to understand so that we can understand not only who we serve, but also to appreciate all He has done for us.
God’s Word is alive and the more we learn the more we understand that we know so little.
It is quite humbling to realize that our Awesome Father chose us and made a covenant with us sealed with Jesus blood simply because He loves us.
That is significant and worthy of at least three bows.
Do you agree?
Action Step
1 Chronicles 16:29
Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him, bow down to the Lord in holy array.
What can you let go of today?
Remain here a few minutes and process what you read.
Bow before God and allow Him to love you.
Don’t leave this space until He is finished.
Comments