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 Faithful Friends Forever 

One of the best examples of faithful friends is found in the Bible in 1 Samuel, chapters 18-20. Here we read a true story of two great people. The first was Jonathan, the son of King Saul of Israel. The second was Jonathan’s best friend, David, the lowly shepherd boy who killed Goliath, the giant, with a simple slingshot!

Jonathan should have been the rightful heir to his father’s throne. However, God had other plans. Instead, David, was anointed as the next king.

Jonathan could have grown jealous over this situation and allowed his love for David to become hatred. Jonathan even had the chance to turn on his friend and bring about David’s death. After all, with David dead, Jonathan then could become the king after his father, King Saul, died.

However, because Jonathan loved David with all his heart and sought to please God, he was not jealous of David. Instead, he remained loyal to David and supported him as the next king, even though Jonathan had every right to inherit his father’s crown. This story is the ultimate example of truly loving a friend.

Imagine that your dad is a famous king and you are set to inherit all of his fortune. As his heir, you are positioned to receive his jets, mansions, pro sports teams, diamonds, all the Chick-fil-A restaurants and Walmarts he owns, and his crown!

But, suddenly, you discover you will not get your dad’s fortune because it’s all being given to your best friend! You will even have to serve your friend the rest of your life. It’s easy to think of the jealous feelings that could have arisen, but Jonathan chose love over jealousy, He decided to faithfully love his friend no matter what. The key to loving your friends at all times is forgiveness through all circumstances, even if it’s the loss of an inheritance.

Think about it:

Do you ever feel as though you don’t have a best friend? And how can you be someone’s best friend? How can you prove faithfulness over jealousy?

Ask God to help you be a Jonathan!