1 Samuel 18:1-4;
20:1-42
Life-Lesson: Jonathan teaches us how to submit to God and
how to submit to friends.
Jonathan was one of the best gifts God
ever gave to David. – Keith Kaynor
Prov.
17:17; 18:24
Eccl.
4:9-12
Literature
offers us great stories of good friendships: Orry Main and George Hazard (North
and South); Anne Shirley and Diana Barry – her “bosom friend” (Anne
of Green Gables)

Jonathan’s
friendship was one of the few positive things David had to fortify himself for
the decade of fugitive living that lay just ahead. He would need to draw strength from this in
the years to come.
A surprising fact: David was about 19, Jonathan approximately
50, and Saul near 70.
4 Characteristics of a Close Friendship
1. A close friend is willing to
sacrifice.
Ø He wanted to
give something that belonged to him and was meaningful.
Ø They are not
stingy with their possessions.
Ø You can hardly impose
on this kind of friend.
Ø He doesn’t keep
score.
Ø He is there to
assist in whatever way needed.
Ø Unselfishness
prevails.
2. A close friend is a loyal defense
before others.
Ø Not a
fair-weather friend.
Ø Won’t speak
against you when you’re not around.
Ø He not only
defended his friend but rebuked his father for his attitude.
Ø No pettiness, no
envy, no jealousy.
3. Close friends give each other
complete freedom to be themselves.
Ø When your heart
is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this and he will show
understanding.
Ø He will show
compassion.
Ø He won’t
confront you in your misery.
When
a good friend is hurting, let him hurt.
If a good friend feels like weeping, let
him weep. If a good friend needs to complain,
listen. An intimate friend doesn’t
bale. You can be yourself, no matter what that self looks like.
4. A close friend is a constant source
of encouragement.
Ø Someone has
said, “Loneliness is the most desperate of all English words.”
Ø Jesus surrounded
himself with friends.
Ø Jonathan sought
out his friend.
Ø He sees David at
the lowest moments, frightened and bewildered, and he brings him
encouragement.
Ø “I understand
how that feels. You have every right to have
those feelings. There’ll be a brighter
day some day, but right now I’m here with you, no matter what.”
The
friendship of David and Jonathan was a
true friendship that transcended the circumstances in which both men found
themselves. It was a wholesome,
God-honoring relationship that God used in the lives of both men – and even in
the future lives of their families. –
Swindoll
Friendship Matters
1. Biblical heroes modeled that it is
healthy to have a few close friendships that you know on a deeper level than everyone else.
2. Some friendship are seasonal – they
serve a specific purpose in a specific season – but they are not intended to be for every season.
3. Friendships will change, and some
friends will walk away from you.
4. Every friendship experiences
disappointment. To disappoint and be
disappointed is to be human.
5. Friendship should not be limited by
age. A more important factor is an equal
commitment to God.
6. Remember
the long-range view of friendship.
Situations and abilities change over time. Jonathan could bless David at first. Years later, David could help Jonathan’s family.
7. Strive to be true friends with your
spouse.
8. Only Jesus will be your most intimate
and trusted companion – forever.
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