June 22-26

“The Lord will be between
me and you,
and between my descendants
and your descendants
forever.

I Samuel 20:42b

Michael W. Smith has written a popular song that, I'm sure, would have been on David's top ten. The words of the chorus say:

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "never"
'cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

This week we have the privilege of looking into the heart of true friendship. If David could preach a sermon on the blessings of loyal friendship, there is no question that he would showcase his friend Jonathan. We meet Jonathan before we even meet David. He is the son of the king and next in line for the throne. He is a fearless warrior and has been with his father in battle, so he is aware that his father is not the wisest man on the planet! He is a man of integrity and fears God. We see this in his relationship with his father. The Law says a man is to honor his father and mother, and, although his father is ready to kill him for eating a spoonful of honey, Jonathan remains true to his father and honors him with life and his service.

The very first introduction to Jonathan reveals his great ability as a warrior and his faith in God’s word plan. Is it any wonder that Jonathan’s heart is knit to David when David kills Goliath? They were of kindred spirit!!!

It is interesting to compare Jonathan and Saul’s relationship with David.

Jonathan admired David’s ability as a warrior.
Saul admired David’s ability as a warrior.

Jonathan loved David.
Saul loved David.

Jonathan recognized David’s relationship with YHWH.
Saul recognized David’s relationship with YHWH.

Jonathan recognized the anointing of a king on David.
Saul recognized the anointing of a king on David.

Here are two men who see the same things about the same man, and yet their reactions are totally opposite! How can that possibly be? The answer is found in their hearts.

Saul saw David’s accomplishments as competition. – “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” David wasn’t the one who started the chant, but Saul didn’t like David getting that kind of recognition.

Saul was paranoid and projected his weakness on David. Saul knew God was going to rip the kingdom from him and he clearly sees God’s anointing on David. Saul’s assumption is that David will try to kill him to gain the throne. Why would he think that? Because that it is what he would do! We see this even clearer when we watch him chasing David in the wilderness, constantly telling people that David is trying to kill him!

Saul was jealous! He was jealous of Jonathan’s love for David. He was jealous of Michal’s love for David. It was okay that he loved David, but God forbid that others should!

Saul refused to accept the word of God that Samuel had given him. Samuel had made it quite clear that his kingdom would not be established. Therefore, David became his enemy. Saul had said to Jonathan, “For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.”

Why didn’t all these things affect Jonathan as they did Saul? The answer is found in the words Jonathan spoke to David a bit father down the track, when David is fleeing Saul. Jonathan tells David, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father shall not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” Jonathan knew God’s will and he embraced it. He wanted David to fulfill God’s call on his life. He understood that, although his father wanted him to be king, this was Dad’s call and not God’s! He knew David for who he was and not what paranoia made him out to be. Jonathan was secure in David’s love and therefore, didn’t have to compete to secure his place.

How many good friendships are destroyed when any one of these attributes begins to gnaw away at the foundation? Love and admiration are soon reduced to dust when competition, paranoia, jealousy and the like are thrown into the relationship. How often are attacks made out of jealousy, or to preserve faulty positions that have no real enemies? Jonathan’s loyalty was a result of his unselfish love and his desire to see his friend reach his highest God-given potential. Why don’t you sing along with me and let’s let the words of the song really sink in!

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them