The Friendship of David and Jonathan

Main Point: Friendship is a gift from God that helps us become more like Jesus

We all need real friends

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 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

Friends like Jonathan aren’t afraid that you will become greater than they are

Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.” So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before. —1 Samuel 19:4-7

Friends like Jonathan stick up for you

Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, “Go, carry them back to town.” 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 Samuel 20:40-42

Friends like Jonathan look out for you

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh. —1 Samuel 23:15-18

Friends like Jonathan are willing to sacrifice so that you can be all that God created you to be

“How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. —2 Samuel 1:25-26

Friends like Jonathan are to be appreciated

To get friends like Jonathan be a friend like Jonathan; let Jesus get you there.

Takeaway: Jesus offers us a meaningful friendship and can help us to become meaningful friends.

Discussion Questions
1. Who was your closest childhood friend? How did you become friends?
2. How many true friends would you say you have today? How do you maintain those friendships?
3. As you consider the story of Jonathan and David, what strikes you as significant or particularly meaningful?
4. Do you know Jesus as a friend today? Talk about your response.

Table Discussion Question – What do you think are the most important factors in friendship?