The following was culled from an article “Bound Together In Friendship”

“The battle was over, and quiet descended over the Valley of Elah. As the tents of the army encampment rustled in the afternoon breeze, King Saul held an audience. His eldest son, Jonathan, was in attendance, and a youthful shepherd was excitedly recounting his tale. The youth was David, and he was full of zeal and enthusiasm. Saul listened with rapt attention, hanging on to David’s every word. How, though, did Jonathan feel? He had won victories in his long career of serving in Jehovah’s army. But today’s victory did not belong to Jonathan; it belonged to this youth. David had killed the giant Goliath! Was Jonathan jealous of the glory being heaped on David?

Jonathan’s reaction might surprise you. We read: “As soon as David had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship, and Jonathan began to love him as himself.” Jonathan gave David his own fighting gear, including his bow—quite a gift, for Jonathan was a renowned archer. What is more, Jonathan and David made a covenant, a solemn agreement, that bound them together as friends who would support each other.—1 Samuel 18:1-5.

Thus began one of the greatest friendships described in the Bible. Friendship is important to people of faith. If we choose friends wisely and become a supportive, loyal friend, we can strengthen our faith during these unloving times. (Proverbs 27:17) So let us see what we can learn about friendship from Jonathan.

The Foundation of Friendship
How could such a friendship form so quickly? The answer has to do with the basis for that friendship. Consider some background. Jonathan was living through a difficult time. His father, King Saul, had been changing over the years, and ever for the worse. Once a humble, obedient man of faith, Saul had become an arrogant, disobedient king. —1 Samuel 15:17-19, 26. The changes in Saul must have troubled Jonathan deeply, for he was close to his father. (1 Samuel 20:2) Jonathan likely wondered what harm Saul could bring on Jehovah’s chosen nation. Might the king’s disobedience lead his subjects astray and cost them Jehovah’s favor? Without a doubt, those were hard times for a man of faith like Jonathan.
That background may help us to understand what drew Jonathan to young David. Jonathan saw David’s great faith. Remember, unlike those in Saul’s army, David was undaunted by Goliath’s colossal size. He reasoned that going into battle bearing Jehovah’s name made him more powerful than Goliath with all his weaponry. —1 Samuel 17:45-47.

Years earlier, Jonathan had reasoned similarly. He was sure that two men—he and his armor-bearer—could attack and defeat an entire garrison of armed soldiers. Why? “Nothing can hinder Jehovah,” Jonathan said. (1 Samuel 14:6) So Jonathan and David had much in common: strong faith in Jehovah and deep love for him. That was the ideal basis for friendship between the two men. Even though Jonathan was a mighty prince and nearing 50 years of age, while David was a humble shepherd and likely not yet 20 years old, those differences between them did not matter.”

The foundation to lasting friendship are shared values, shared vision and shared communication based on faith in the living God and His revealed word (Revelation 22:17). You want lasting friendship, search a fit based on this. Shalom.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele