Someone once said to never let your friends be but to disturb them all the time. The bond between David and Jonathan has clear beautiful lessons of true friendships away from frenemies and those wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Have you ever been hurt by people you so called friends? Well, pursuing friendships to get to the right one can sometimes feel like a daunting task. I have been at a place in my life when I decided that I was going to become a lone ranger because of constant disappointments, but God reminded me that no man is an island.
If we pray and choose friends wisely, become accommodative and pledge allegiance to our friends, then perhaps we can strengthen our faith during these uncertain times.
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1 Samuel 18: 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 And 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 And 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.
So, what are the lessons we can pick from David and Jonathan on being true friends?
- True friends are a present from God. God gifts us with divine connections and true friendships- it is never by chance. David and Jonathan, who were from different worlds, were brought together to accomplish a higher purpose by God.
- Trust never Envy: Jonathan had more reason to be jealous, protective of the kingship, and guarded of David’s fame. However, Jonathan’s love for David, their friendship and understanding of God’s will for Israel made them remain faithful to each other.
- True friendship does not discriminate. Jonathan was a prince, had his own armor, lived in a palace with the best general education and training in the art of war, and was the first born in line to inherit the throne. David was the youngest of many brothers, a shepherd, he had a harp and a slingshot, grew up in a little town called Bethlehem and was anointed as the next king of Israel. In all their differences, they became the best of friends.
- A true friend is loyal. It is written twice in 1 Samuel 18:1: 20:17 that Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Love is also taught deeply by our Lord Jesus in the New Testament.
Read More: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/11/22/victory-is-to-humility-what-misery-is-to-pride/
- True friendship means physical and spiritual growth. Jesus had his circle of disciples. Daniel had Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. Naomi had Ruth. To thrive spiritually and connect with the world, we must choose friends who help us grow in God and in all ways.
- True friendship is protective. Jonathan protected David from his own father, King Saul who time and again tried to kill David out of envy. Jonathan tried to speak well of David but Saul was not having it. Saul tried to appeal to Jonathan’s self-interest of becoming the heir to the kingdom, but Jonathan was not going to betray his friend or his God.
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- True friendship lasts a lifetime. Jonathan put to risk his own life to save David’s life from his own father. David looked after Jonathan’s descendants, caring for them like family.
- Commonalities bond friendships. Even though Jonathan and David came from significantly different backgrounds, they were both men of faith who served God deeply and were fierce warriors.
- True friendship compounds. The Lord was with David, and Michal, Saul’s daughter and Jonathan’s sister, loved him. David found a wife in her.
- A pure heart receives God’s favor. God through his favor, led everyone to love David. He gained access to King Saul’s court and even played music to soothe his terrible mental illness. He slayed Goliath the feared giant. Jonathan, the king’s son loved him as himself. He led Saul’s army to battle, all of Israel and Judah loved him, and he also found favor with Israel’s enemies when he was in exile. Even the king’s daughter Michal fell in love with him and became his wife. David also thrived on to become one of the greatest kings on earth and a lineage to the Messiah. That. Is. Favor.
Tips for finding meaningful relationships
- Engaging in new activities and hobbies.
- Loving yourself 100 percent. No mere mortal will ever complete you.
- Being empathetic towards others and learning to be a good friend.
- Understanding that true friends are a gift from God- Pray for your connections always.
- Becoming spiritually mature.
- Godly isolation and personal development is sometimes a path to spiritual and physical growth.
Read: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/10/25/enjoying-life-golding-life-like-the-golden-hymns/
Select Scriptures on David and Jonathan
1 Samuel 18: 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 And 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 And 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. 1 Samuel 18:3 - Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 2 Samuel 1:1-27 - Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; (Read More...) 1 Samuel 18:1-4 - And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (Read More...) 2 Samuel 1:26 - I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 1 Samuel 18:1 - And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 20:1-42 - And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? (Read More...) 1 Samuel 18:1-30 - And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
27 David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife. 28 When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David's enemy continually. 30 Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.
Bible Verses on Love and Friendships
Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Matthew 22:39. Love your neighbor as yourself. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Proverbs 30:18-19: There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don't understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. 1 Peter 4:8: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Romans 12:9: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Colossians 3:14: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Ephesians 4:2: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Jude 1:2: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. John 15:13-15. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
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