FRIENDzone - Close Friends (1 Samuel 19:1-7)
The term “close” is used loosely in the friendship conversation.
How many Facebook friends do you have?
The Bible speaks on the subject of friends frequently.
14There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. —Proverbs 18:24
It isn’t the “kind” of friendship but the degree of closeness.
In his book “Made For Friendship”, Drew Hunter gave a picture delivering the Concentric Circles of life…
What does a “close” relationship look like?
We were introduced to the relationship between David and Jonathan last week.
1Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. —1 Samuel 18:1
What does it mean to “love as your own soul”?
Reality: You take care of yourself.
Expectation: We don’t devalue ourselves but raise those “close” relationships to our level.
1Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. —1 Samuel 19:1
There is great tension brewing in the palace by the time we move from 1 Samuel 18 to 1 Samuel 19.
7So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” 8Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9So Saul eyed David from that day forward. —1 Samuel 18:7-9
12Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul. 13Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. 15Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. —1 Samuel 18:12-16
28Thus Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him; 29and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually. 30Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed. —1 Samuel 18:28-30
2So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. 3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you.” 4Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. 5For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?” 6So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” 7Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past. —1 Samuel 19:2-7
Jonathan gave us a quick look at what a “close” friend is all about…
Taking
for the well-being of
to establish their
.
Taking responsibility…
3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. —1 Samuel 18:3
Notice how Jonathan assumed the responsibility for David in this situation…
2So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. 3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you.” —1 Samuel 19:2-3
Taking responsibility for the well-being of another…
Jonathan protected David physically as well in his character.
4Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. 5For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?” —1 Samuel 19:4-5
Jonathan’s actions could be seen as threatening in the eyes of King Saul.
Taking responsibility for the well-being of another to establish their path.
6So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” 7Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past. —1 Samuel 19:6-7
Jonathan might have thought that the palace is where David needed to be since he was next king.
Jesus is our closest friend and Savior.
13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13
Do you have someone who looks at you and says, “I got you?”
Who do you have this morning that you are taking care of?