A True and Lasting Friendship You have probably met and known many different people in your life. Most of them may simply be acquaintances, while others you might consider friends. Of these, there may be only a few that you would consider close friends. Then, perhaps, there is that one person who is as close to you as a brother or sister or perhaps, as the Bible says, “is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24), someone in whom you can confide and trust, and with whom you can share your hopes and dreams. A friend who is there not only through the good times, but also the bad—through thick and thin—someone who won’t desert you when the going gets tough. A true friendship that stands the test of trials and time is rare. Friends may come and go, but to have a lifelong, close personal friendship is truly a great blessing. The story of Jonathan and David is the story of one such friendship. As you read about this friendship, you will find that they shared much in common. There were also things that could have easily destroyed their bond, but instead, they made it stronger. Jonathan—a Prince of Israel Jonathan, prince and son of Saul, was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel. He was destined to rule after the death of his father. Jonathan was well aware of this and the promises God would have made to his father had Saul been faithful (I Sam. 13:13). Jonathan was a young man of courage, strength, and determination who looked to and relied on God. Jonathan was a mighty soldier in his own right—highly respected and trusted by the men he led. These character traits were clearly evidenced when Jonathan fought against a garrison of Philistine soldiers with only his armour bearer by his side. Trusting in God, he slew 20 Philistines in a half acre area of land. This single act of bravery led to other events that encouraged his father and the 600 men with Saul to join in battle as well, leading to a great victory for Israel (I Sam. 14:1-23). This and other events caused him to grow in stature and respect among the army of Israel. So much so, that these very men protected and rescued Jonathan, who had innocently violated a rash oath from the mouth of the one wanting to put him to death—his father the king (14:24-46)! David—a Keeper of Sheep On the other hand, David, the youngest son of Jesse, was a ruddy, bright-eyed shepherd boy. On two occasions, he rescued his father’s sheep from a predator—a lion and a bear—literally grabbing hold of them and slaying them (I Sam. 17:34-36). These feats and others caused him to be known as one “who is cunning in playing [the harp], and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person” (I Sam. 16:18). In fact, it was David’s ability to play the harp that first gave him favour with Saul. The soothing music that David skilfully played refreshed and calmed Saul’s troubled spirit. This moved the king to bestow upon him the great honour of being his armour bearer. Eventually, through marriage to the king’s daughter, Michal, David even became a prince in Israel, and brother-in-law to Jonathan. Yet this favour and honour in Saul’s sight was destined not to last. As David also grew in stature and respect among the army and the people of Israel, Saul’s love and favour turned into bitterness, resentment and hate. Saul became determined to murder David, since he knew that David would replace him on the throne. This also meant that Jonathan would never be king. A Lasting Friendship Established A single great event signalled both the beginning of Jonathan and David’s friendship and their falling from love and favour in Saul’s eyes—David’s defeat of the giant Goliath. Goliath had been mocking and challenging the army of Israel for forty days to all who saw him, he seemed invincible—their worst nightmare! He stood well over nine feet tall and wore chest armour weighing about 125 pounds! His armour bearer could barely even carry his shield. Yet this did not frighten or deter David. He willingly challenged this champion of the Philistines, knowing that God would deliver him just as He had done from the bear and the lion. God was truly with David, and David knew that the Eternal would grant him victory over the man who defied the army of the living God. Running straight toward him, David killed this mighty giant with nothing but a sling and a small stone. He then stood over Goliath, cut off his head and brought it before Saul, speaking to him in the presence of Jonathan. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled before the army of Israel, who then chased after them in victory. David’s courage and bravery that day affected Jonathan deeply; he was moved to love him as much as his own life. He realized that they shared much in common in the areas of courage, bravery, strength, loyalty, trust and faith in God. From that day forward, they were the best of friends. Jonathan was moved to the point of giving David some of his treasured items: His robe, sword, bow and belt, and even his armour. Jonathan and David’s bond was so strong that they promised to never let anything come between them. Yet, Saul, upon hearing the people praise David in singing, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands,” sought to kill David from that day forward. However, Jonathan’s love for his friend only grew. Many times, he interceded for David, warning him that his father was seeking to take his life. Jonathan urged his father not to do this, saying, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been towards you very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: you saw it, and did rejoice: wherefore then will you sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause” (I Sam. 19:4-5)? Jonathan warned David and interceded for him so often that he put his own life in danger, one time narrowly escaping death at the hand of his father. He even risked his life by traveling a great distance to see David in hiding, knowing that his father surely had spies watching every move. And he did this knowing that David would ascend to the throne in his place. Understanding that he must decrease while David increased, he pledged to stand loyally beside him. Think how easy it would have been for Jonathan to go along with his father’s plotting, giving in to carnal nature and lust for power. It would have been easy for him to fall into the same attitudes as Saul, to have a bitter state of mind, saying, “It’s not fair, God! Why should I be punished just because my father messed up?” Instead, he not only accepted God’s decision, he became best friends with the man whom his own human nature would have considered his rival! In all of this, he showed great loyalty not only to David but also to God and His will. In a way, Jonathan showed loyalty to his father as well, preventing him from committing a terrible murder. Yet, David also showed great loyalty to Saul and Jonathan. As many times as Jonathan and David were alone, it would have been very easy for David to give in to his human nature and kill a potential rival. Even when presented with the opportunity to sneak up on Saul (the very one trying to murder him) and kill him, David restrained himself. David well remembered the covenant made with his best friend, recalling the words Jonathan spoke: “And you shall not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever: no, not when the LORD has cut off the enemies of David everyone from the face of the earth” (I Sam. 20:14-15). Even though David had been anointed king, he still showed great respect toward Jonathan—even to the point of bowing before him three times. So great was his love that, upon the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death, he composed a song of lamentation called the Song of the Bow, and instructed that it be taught to the children of Judah. What a wonderful tribute to true friendship, when so many would have rejoiced at the death of rivals. Even after the death of Jonathan, David kept his promise to show kindness to his friend. He searched out Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, and provided for him the rest of his life. You Can Have This Kind of Friendship! Much can be learned from the friendship of Jonathan and David. They were both princes of Israel, one by birth, the other by marriage. They were both in line to assume the throne of Israel. Both were mighty men of valour, and were respected and trusted by the men they led in battle. Each had accomplished great feats, relying on God for victory. They were zealous, driven, resourceful, courageous, bold, meek, humble, and so much more. They knew and respected government, wielded authority and zealously served those under and over them. They were loyal to one another and to their king. They could have been enemies and rivals, yet they set aside jealousy, resentment, bitterness, competition and lust for power, choosing instead to become the closest of friends. They knew how and when to laugh together, cry and show their emotions together, sharing hopes and dreams, thereby cementing their friendship forever. They were real men, able to show the true, proper and right love of a brotherly friendship, willing to lay down their lives for one another. So great was their friendship that at one of their partings, “they kissed one another, and wept one with another, but David more so” (I Sam. 20:41; NKJV). How rare this kind of friendship is in the world today! Yet, YOU can have this kind of friendship with God and Christ. Recall Christ’s words to His disciples: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15). The record of David and Jonathan’s friendship has been preserved in the Bible for our benefit. It pictures the close relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. They desire that same close, personal relationship with every human being. Jonathan and David’s friendship is a lasting legacy. When David sees Jonathan come up in the resurrection, it will be just like the last day they saw each other, and they will continue to enjoy a friendship that will last for eternity. You can develop that kind of friendship with God and Christ, and with all others of like mind, who share the same goals, hopes and dreams. Let us never forget that each of us has one true great friend, that is Jesus Christ who laid down His life for us. John 15:13
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 09:38:51 +0000
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