After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.” 1 Samuel 18.1-4
The friendship or brotherhood between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul, is legendary. It is one of the great bonds in the history of Scripture. As David is conscripted into the service of the king, he begins living in the palace and is unable to return home. Losing the companionship of his family, especially his seven brothers, God blesses David with not only a friend but a brother in the Lord.
Scripture tells us that David and Jonathan became “one in spirit†with each other and that Jonathan “loved David as himself.†Jonathan made a covenant with David, and as a sign of his commitment to their friendship, he gave David everything he had, including his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt. What belonged to Jonathan now belonged to David. God gave David great favor within the house of Saul, which we know from earlier passages he would surely need.
Friends like Jonathan are rare. Some people may have one or two such friends in a lifetime, while others may never experience the blessing of a bond like Jonathan’s. For some, this kind of connection may be found in a spouse—a friend and companion for life. Others may feel disappointment, never fully experiencing the love of a friend, brother, or sister in such a way. Yet the blessing of friendship, like the one Jonathan gave to David, remains a gift from God.
I don’t know your experience. Perhaps you’ve had childhood friends who stayed with you through life. Or maybe you’ve felt the disappointment of not being fully understood, and the close friends you longed for never materialized. The good news is that Jesus has made friends of us through the love of God. Each of us can experience a friendship like no other when we love Jesus and commit our ways to Him. Proverbs 18:24 speaks of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.†I believe the ultimate friend is God. In John 15, Jesus tells His disciples that He no longer calls them servants but friends. If we are followers of Jesus, we are friends with Him.
Each of us needs a friend like Jesus—someone who knows us, loves us, and understands us. Someone who comforts us, guides us, and never gives up on us. You can rest assured that God is your friend. He has been longing to know you, love you, and be your friend since before you were born. Jesus is not only our friend but also our Lord and Savior—the one who will never leave us nor forsake us.
Will you accept this friendship from God today? Turn to Him in prayer, ask Him to come into your life, give Him all that you are, and seek His face above all others. God loves you and wants to be your friend both now and for eternity.
“O Lord God, You are faithful. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for being our Lord, our King, and our friend. Even when people disappoint us, You remain faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with Your grace and love. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.