A True Friend
“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” - 2 Samuel 1:26
While David exalted Saul in this song, his true heartbreak was for his great friend Jonathan. David had lived in Saul’s house from a young age and had become close friends with Jonathan. They were closer than brothers.
After the Lord anointed David, Saul tried to kill him because he did not want David to be king. He wanted Jonathan to be the next king, but Jonathan saw God’s hand upon David and knew he would be the next king. Knowing David would be the next king, Jonathan made a covenant with David (1 Samuel 18). He supported David and was not jealous of his anointing.
This is the reason David said Jonathan’s love was greater than the love of a woman. David was speaking of Jonathan’s faithfulness. In his experience, the women in his life had not been very faithful. Jonathan had been his friend and helped him escape death, even though he had to go against his father’s wishes. Jonathan was a true friend; he did not allow pride and jealousy to come between them.
Faithfulness in friendship is so important. No one wants a friend who is only out for themselves. Someone who is a true friend will be by your side in good times and bad. They will be there to laugh with you and cry with you. A true friend prays for you and loves at all times. What kind of friend are you?
A real friend warms you up by his presence, trusts you with his secrets and remembers you in his prayers.
~Author Unknown~
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