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1 Samuel 20 · Grade 4

Faithful Friendship

Name Date

Read and Think

David was convinced there was only a step between him and death. Jonathan struggled to believe his father would harm David, but he promised to find out. The two friends planned a secret signal using arrows during the new moon feast.

In the field, Jonathan looked ahead. He knew David would one day be king. He asked David to show loving kindness to his family forever, and they made a covenant between their houses. Jonathan loved David as his own soul.

At the feast, Saul called Jonathan the son of a rebellious woman and said that as long as David lived, Jonathan's kingdom would not be established. When Jonathan defended David, Saul threw his spear at his own son. Jonathan shot the arrows as planned, and the friends parted in tears, trusting the Lord to be between them forever.

Show What You Know

  1. How close did David feel to death?

  2. What did Jonathan know about David's future?

  3. What did Saul say about Jonathan's kingdom?

  4. What did the friends trust as they parted?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

fieldarrowsJonathanDavid
  1. was convinced there was only a step between him and death.
  2. struggled to believe his father would harm David, but he promised to find out.
  3. The two friends planned a secret signal using during the new moon feast.
  4. In the , Jonathan looked ahead.

Think About It

  1. Jonathan chose loyalty to David over his own chance to be king. What does that teach about true friendship?

  2. How can you be a loyal friend even when it costs you something?

Memory Verse

“Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had for him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”

1 Samuel 20:17 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for loyal friends. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you stay friends with someone your family does not like?
  • What would it look like to stand by a friend who is being treated unfairly?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.