Prince Jonathan:
A Bible Study On Avoiding Self-Pity
Prepared by Skylar H. Burris

I wrote this brief study as a supplement to Chapter 4 of Fran Sciacca's To Run and Not Grow Tired. The chapter was entitled "CAIN--Self-Pity: A Doorway to Destruction." The chapter provided a negative example of self-pity (i.e. what we should avoid). I thought it appropriate to also study a positive example (i.e. how we can avoid it).  I chose Jonathan. 

This study can be pursued independently of the Fran Sciacca book. However, if you are interested in purchasing the book, you can follow the link above.

Scripture Readings:

(1) Genesis 4:1-15, (2) I Samuel 14 - 21, and (3) II Samuel 9

Questions for Reflection:

1. What kind of person was Jonathan, as a warrior, believer, leader, and friend? (Read also I Samuel 14:6-14 and 27-30 and 43-45.)

2. Why might Jonathan have reason to envy David and pity himself? (See I Samuel 20:31 and I Samuel 21:11.)

3. It might have seemed to Jonathan that God unfairly favored David over him (as it seemed to Cain that God unfairly favored Able). How does Jonathan react to God’s choice of David? How does his treatment of David differ from Cain’s treatment of Able? (See I Samuel 20:32-34 and I Samuel 19:1-4.)

4. What do you think would have happened if Jonathan had chosen to pity himself and had sought to kill David? 

5. What good thing happened to Jonathan because he chose not to pity himself? (See I Samuel 20:41-42 and 20:15 and II Samuel 9:3-7.) 

6. What can we learn from Jonathan? How should we react when we feel someone else is being unfairly favored over us?

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