I AM: Robed Week Six - Day Three

By Central Women

I am so proud of you! You’ve persevered and made it to day three. Are you ready to figure out why this week is titled “I am Robed”? Let’s dig into 1 Samuel 18:1-5 NASB to find out! As you read the text, circle every reference to Jonathan.

1. Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

2. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.

3. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

4. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.

5. So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

What do you observe happening in this covenant?

Who initiates the covenant and why?

What is done in making the covenant?

Let’s look at this a bit closer. While Jonathan initiates the covenant, we don’t see David responding (he does later), but we do see Jonathan loving David as much as himself. Scripture paints a beautiful picture of Jonathan giving his identity to David and David taking on that identity. These covenant partners honor their commitment even over family ties. When King Saul, Jonathan’s father, wants David dead because he sees him as a threat to the throne, Jonathan protects him. (see 1 Samuel 19–20) Later, when both Saul and Jonathan die in battle and David takes the throne, he looks for any of Jonathan’s surviving children to care for them. He finds one. In those days, a king didn’t save another king’s heir because they might build support and take over the throne. But because of covenant, King David saves Jonathan’s son and places him at his table for the rest of his days. This is what a covenant partner does. They take each other’s identity, become one, and fulfill their responsibility to each other above all others.

This exchange of robes was a covenant act of the times. Covenant was a binding agreement that was not to be entered into lightly. Whether exchanging robes or walking through the pieces of an animal carcass, covenant partners showed their intention to die to independent living, and instead, to live in consideration of their covenant partner. This “walk unto death” meant that a man asked God to do to him as was done to the animals he walked between. Thus, men didn’t enter into covenant agreements half-heartedly.

Now let’s look at the New Testament and see what we discover that might illustrate a biblical truth of exchanging robes and the priority one places for their covenant partner.

Look at Romans 13:13-14. What do you discover about a robe exchange?

Read Matthew 10:34-39 and consider the robe you have put on and what priority it should have. Write down what you discover.

As we end our time today, pray these two verses with me, then write down any thoughts below:

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Galatians 2:20, NASB

Help me, Lord, to love you with all my heart, soul, and might. Amen. (Deuteronomy 6:5)