Friends Can Make You or Break You Part I

In this three part series I want to take the time to talk about friendships. Over the course of our lifetime we make many friends...well at least most of us do. Many of these friendships mold and shape our own personalities and standards. We can't overlook the powerful influence our friends have on us and we have on our friends. In this study we are going to look at two accounts of friendship in the Bible one a good friendship and one a not so good one. So let's look at the first one.

Jonathan and David

I Samuel 18:1-4 “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”

Here we see Jonathan giving David his garments, now this may not make much sense to you but keep in mind that Jonathan was King Saul’s son and the next heir to the throne. David, however, was chosen by God to be the next king. By giving David his robe, bow, and girdle Jonathan was signifying that he was giving his right to the throne to David. Jonathan acknowledged that God had chosen David and he did not want to stand in the way. If God had chosen David he was willing to step down and let David take the throne.

From this passage we see a deep sense of loyalty that Jonathan had to David and to God. 

I Samuel 23:15-17 “And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.”

David was at a very trying time in his life his own father-in-law was trying to kill him. He had been in fear of his life for a while and was no doubt becoming discouraged. But thankfully he had a good friend Jonathan who the Bible says went to David and strengthened his hand in God. In a time of great despair Jonathan pointed David to God. He reminded him of God’s promise that he would be king. He assured him that God would protect and take care of him. Jonathan was concerned for David's safety as well as his spiritual life and his walk with God. What a blessing it is to have a friend that cares enough about us to encourage us and challenge us to draw closer to God. 

Jonathan is an excellent example of a true godly friend. Do you have a Jonathan in your life? Are a Jonathan to someone? I challenge you to find a friend that will encourage you and point you toward God. One who cares about you enough to ask you the tough questions and point it out when you head down the wrong path.