TRUE FRIENDSHIP

PROCLAMATION

“Then said Jonathan unto David, ‘Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.’ ”  1 Samuel 20:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  David went to Jonathan and asked why his father Saul wanted to kill him.  Jonathan said that Saul was not attempting to kill him, remembering his father’s oath. (1 Samuel 19:6)  But David knew better and he devised a plan to confirm it and to prove it to Jonathan.  He would not show up for a feast and cause Saul to question his absence.  He gave Jonathan an excuse to give Saul when he asked about him and Jonathan would know by Saul’s reaction what his true intentions were. (1 Samuel 20:4-7)  Then they devised a means by which Jonathan could communicate Saul’s reaction to David while he was still in hiding.  He would shoot three arrows near or past the stone by which David was hiding. (1 Samuel 20:18-22)  It came to past that Saul questioned Jonathan regarding David’s absence from the feast and he replied as David had instructed him.  Saul was angry and upset with Jonathan.  He even threw a spear at him and Jonathan knew that he intended to kill David. (1 Samuel 20:24-33)  The next day he went to the field to let David know Saul’s intentions.  After he signaled him with the three arrows, they met and cried together, and then David left. (1 Samuel 20:35-42)

 

APPLICATION

There was a bond between David and Jonathan that was stronger than most friendship bonds.  Some “friends” are only our friends while things are going well, but they disappear when the bad times come.  When we really need them, some friends can’t be found.  This friendship was stronger than family connections.  This was a “Whatever you need, I will do for you” type of friendship.  As believers, we have a real true friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” and Christ said that we are His friends. (John 15:13-14)  We are His friends if we do what He commands.  “What a friend we have in Jesus …” (Christian hymn by Joseph Scriven)