Monday, March 16, 2015

1 Samuel 20-24: A True Friend

After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.  Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. -1 Sam. 20:41-42 NIV

Where would we be without our friends and brothers in the Lord.  We would have no one to comfort us, to pray for us, to love us unconditionally.   We would be all alone, vulnerable to the enemy.  David knew this.  He knew how Saul felt about him.  He knew how Saul would kill him if he had the chance.  He knew if it were not for God's protection, he would be a dead man.  He knew that Jonathan was God's instrument in providing that protection.  He also knew that everything that Jinathan did for him came at a cost to Jonathan, a price Jonathan was willing to pay because of his love for David.  Jonathan would willingly forfeit the kingdom in order to preserve David's life.  I believe that is the reason why David was even more sorrowful than Jonathan at their parting.  He knew that Jonathan was giving up his life for him.

Do we have that kind of a relationship with our brothers and sisters.?  Is there anyone we would be willing to sacrifice our well being for?  Is there anyone who would sacrifice their well being for ours?  Perhaps that's what it means to be a true friend.

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