1 As soon as David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan’s life became bound up with David’s life, and Jonathan loved David as much as himself. 2 From that point forward, Saul kept David in his service and wouldn’t allow him to return to his father’s household. 3 And Jonathan and David made a covenant together because Jonathan loved David as much as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, as well as his sword, his bow, and his belt. 5 David went out and was successful in every mission Saul sent him to do. So Saul placed him in charge of the soldiers, and this pleased all the troops as well as Saul’s servants.
Reflection
Have you ever had a friend you could trust to stand by your side, no matter the challenge? David found just such a friend in Jonathan.
Even when Jonathan’s father Saul wanted David dead, Jonathan remained loyal to him, warning him of the plots against his life (1 Samuel 19–20). He did this even though it ran against his own interests as heir to Israel’s throne—because he recognized that God had chosen David.
Have you ever had a friend that selfless?
Have you ever been a friend that selfless?
Too often we settle for friendships that feel a little transactional—what you can do for me, and what I might be able to do for you. Sometimes we value a connection because we think it might help us get ahead. We imagine that being mentioned in the same sentence with someone else might make us look good.
But real friendship is something different. It grows out of love. We simply enjoy being around someone. They’re funny or kind or wise. We admire and respect them. And we decide they’re worth investing in.
The truth is that, especially as adults, friendships take effort. When we were younger, proximity did a lot of the work for us—we saw friends every day at school or in the neighborhood. As adults, life is full, schedules are crowded, and meaningful friendships require intentional time and attention.
We all want friends who will show up for us when we need help. But in order to have those kinds of friends, we have to be those kinds of friends. We show up when someone is struggling. We reach out when we need support ourselves. Sometimes we connect simply for the joy of being together.
Friendships like that David & Jonathan’s don’t happen by accident. They grow out of a thousand small choices to care, to notice, and to show up. If we want friends like that in our lives, we begin by becoming that kind of friend for someone else.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
- When is the last time you made a new friend? Is there someone you’ve wanted to connect with – from work, from church, from the neighborhood? What’s holding you back?
- Is there an old friend that you’re overdue in reaching out to? Make a plan to call or text them today.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for friends who have stood by and supported me in good times and in hard times. Help me today to be grateful for them, that I might always care for my friendshiups, nurturing them in recognition that they are among your most precious gifts to me. Amen.
This devotional edited with the help of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
