Bible Verse: “Don’t be afraid,” (Jonathan) said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 1 Samuel 23:17
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 23
Have you ever seen a blind person run in a track and field event?
It’s quite inspiring. Not only because of their ability to compete in high-level competition but because they don’t do it alone. Due to their inability to see, they are tethered to a guide runner whose job is to run alongside the athlete to make sure they run the best race they can.
This means that the guide runner is not in the race for themselves but for the other athlete to succeed.
In 1 Samuel, Saul is king, and even though he knows that his kingdom will come to an end (1 Samuel 15:27-29), he still tries to secure his legacy through his son, Jonathan.
1 Samuel 20:30-31 records Saul’s anger toward Jonathan on this issue:
Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “…Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame…? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established…”
And yet, in 1 Samuel 23:17, Jonathan says to David:
“Don’t be afraid…My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
It’s interesting that in all of this, Saul was hanging on to his own legacy, while Jonathan completely let go of his own, and David’s legacy was the one that would ultimately bring about the Messiah (Luke 1:32-33).
It seems that Jonathan knew something that Saul didn’t – that God was using Israel’s throne to build His legacy, not man’s.
Are we willing to do that? To let go of our own “thrones” and be prepared to accept that God may have different plans?
Are we willing to be the guide runner who runs the race, not for their own glory, but for the one they run beside?
Are we willing to pursue God’s legacy and not our own?
Prayer: Jesus, help me to surrender my own legacy and run alongside You so that others see more of You and less of me. Amen.
Reflection: Ask yourself where God has you right now, and pray about how He wants to build His legacy through you.
Copyright © 2023 Impactus. All rights reserved.
About
