Who are your best friends? n These choices often will reveal your values as well as your future! (Prov 27:17)

Who are your best friends?Who are your best friends?

These choices often will reveal your values These choices often will reveal your values as well as your future! as well as your future! (Prov 27:17)(Prov 27:17)


(Proverbs 27:17(Proverbs 27:17)) As As iron sharpens iron, So iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.friend.


““Judge yourself by the friends you choose.”Judge yourself by the friends you choose.”


““Judge yourself by the friends you choose.”Judge yourself by the friends you choose.” Wise men know this! Wise men know this! (Prov 22:10-11)(Prov 22:10-11)


(Proverbs 22:10-11)(Proverbs 22:10-11) - Cast out the scoffer, - Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.reproach will cease. {11} {11} He who loves He who loves purity of heart purity of heart And has And has grace on his lips, grace on his lips, The king The king will be will be his friend.his friend.


We most of all need to be a friend of God We most of all need to be a friend of God and of Christ. and of Christ. (Jn 11:11; 15:14-15; Jas 2:23)(Jn 11:11; 15:14-15; Jas 2:23)


(John 11:11)(John 11:11) These things He said, and These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”him up.”


(John 15:14-15)(John 15:14-15) “You are My friends if “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.you do whatever I command you. {15} {15} “No “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known I heard from My Father I have made known to you.to you.


(James 2:23 NKJV)(James 2:23 NKJV) And the Scripture And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.friend of God.


Do not let your friends come by accident. Do not let your friends come by accident. Parents can have a great influence here!Parents can have a great influence here!


Do not let your friends come by accident. Do not let your friends come by accident. Parents can have a great influence here!Parents can have a great influence here!

What made king David the great man that What made king David the great man that he was? he was? (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22)(1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22)


(1 Samuel 13:14 NKJV)(1 Samuel 13:14 NKJV) “But now your “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be to be commander over His people, because commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”commanded you.”


(Acts 13:22 NKJV)(Acts 13:22 NKJV) “And when He had “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the and said, ‘I have found David the son son of of Jesse, a man after My Jesse, a man after My own own heart, who will heart, who will do all My will.’do all My will.’


David had much opposition and turmoil in David had much opposition and turmoil in his life.his life.


Early in his life he made a decision to walk Early in his life he made a decision to walk by faith. What follows is no accident!by faith. What follows is no accident!

The Making of a Friendship --- Two The Making of a Friendship --- Two Great Stands of FaithGreat Stands of Faith

Men of faith will have occasions in life Men of faith will have occasions in life where their faith stands out. where their faith stands out. (Jas 2:18)(Jas 2:18)


(James 2:18 NKJV)(James 2:18 NKJV) But someone will But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.and I will show you my faith by my works.


To live by faith will cause you to go against To live by faith will cause you to go against the crowd.the crowd.


When this happens it is a characteristic of When this happens it is a characteristic of your life rather than an occasional your life rather than an occasional choice to be different. choice to be different. (Rom 12:2)(Rom 12:2)


(Romans 12:2 NKJV)(Romans 12:2 NKJV) And do not be And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what prove what is is that good and acceptable and that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.perfect will of God.


Jonathan’s faith caused him to be placed at Jonathan’s faith caused him to be placed at great risk. great risk. (1 Sam 14:1, 8-10)(1 Sam 14:1, 8-10)


(1 Samuel 14:1 NKJV)(1 Samuel 14:1 NKJV) Now it happened Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that garrison that is is on the other side.” But he on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.did not tell his father.


(1 Samuel 14:8-10 NKJV)(1 Samuel 14:8-10 NKJV) Then Jonathan Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to said, “Very well, let us cross over to these these men, men, and we will show ourselves to them.and we will show ourselves to them. {9} {9} “If “If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them.not go up to them. {10} {10} “But if they say thus, “But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this this will be will be a sign to us.”a sign to us.”


All Jonathan needed to know was the will All Jonathan needed to know was the will of God!of God!


All Jonathan needed to know was the will All Jonathan needed to know was the will of God!of God!

This stand of faith would cause a victory for This stand of faith would cause a victory for the people of God. the people of God. (1 Sam 14:14-15)(1 Sam 14:14-15)


(1 Samuel 14:14-15 NKJV)(1 Samuel 14:14-15 NKJV) That first That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.an acre of land. {15} {15} And there was trembling And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling.a very great trembling.


Sadly, Jonathan had a faith that his father Sadly, Jonathan had a faith that his father could no longer understand. Often they could no longer understand. Often they would now be in conflict. would now be in conflict. (1 Sam 14:39, 43-45)(1 Sam 14:39, 43-45)


(1 Samuel 14:39 NKJV)(1 Samuel 14:39 NKJV) “For “For as as the the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people But not a man among all the people answered him.answered him.


(1 Samuel 14:43-45 NKJV)(1 Samuel 14:43-45 NKJV) Then Saul Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that rod that was was in my hand. So now I must in my hand. So now I must die!”die!” {44} {44} And Saul answered, “God do so And Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”Jonathan.”


{45} {45} But the people said to Saul, “Shall But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.Jonathan, and he did not die.


Jonathan’s faith caused him to have the Jonathan’s faith caused him to have the right kind of influence! That would right kind of influence! That would make a difference in his choice of friends.make a difference in his choice of friends.


What would a young person do who live by What would a young person do who live by faith today? faith today?



David also placed himself at risk against David also placed himself at risk against Goliath. Goliath.



David also placed himself at risk against David also placed himself at risk against Goliath. Goliath.

Did Saul understand this kind of faith? No, Did Saul understand this kind of faith? No, he had turned to a self-centered “faith” he had turned to a self-centered “faith” which was no faith at all. which was no faith at all. (1 Sam 17:32-37)(1 Sam 17:32-37)


(1 Samuel 17:32-37 NKJV)(1 Samuel 17:32-37 NKJV) Then David Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”fight with this Philistine.” {33} {33} And Saul And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for against this Philistine to fight with him; for you you are are a youth, and he a man of war from a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”his youth.”


{34} {34} But David said to Saul, “Your servant But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,the flock, {35} {35} I went out after it and struck I went out after it and struck it, and delivered it, and delivered the lamb the lamb from its mouth; from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught and when it arose against me, I caught it it by by its beard, and struck and killed it.its beard, and struck and killed it.


{36} {36} “Your servant has killed both lion and “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”of the living God.” {37} {37} Moreover David said, Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”with you!”


David even let Goliath know who was to David even let Goliath know who was to get the glory. get the glory. (1 Sam 17:45-47)(1 Sam 17:45-47)


(1 Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV)(1 Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV) Then David Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.whom you have defied.


{46} {46} “This day the LORD will deliver you “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.may know that there is a God in Israel.


{47} {47} “Then all this assembly shall know “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle and spear; for the battle is is the Lord’s, and the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”He will give you into our hands.”


If Saul had this kind of faith the later If Saul had this kind of faith the later bitterness and envy would have not risen bitterness and envy would have not risen up to destroy him. up to destroy him. (1 Sam 18:7-8)(1 Sam 18:7-8)


(1 Samuel 18:7-8 NKJV)(1 Samuel 18:7-8 NKJV) So the women So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” {8} {8} Then Saul was very angry, and the saying Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed they have ascribed only only thousands. Now thousands. Now what what more can he have but the kingdom?”more can he have but the kingdom?”


Why did David and Jonathan become Why did David and Jonathan become friends? friends? (1 Sam 17:57-18:1)(1 Sam 17:57-18:1)


(1 Samuel 17:57-58 NKJV)(1 Samuel 17:57-58 NKJV) Then, as Then, as David returned from the slaughter of the David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.in his hand. {58} {58} And Saul said to him, And Saul said to him, “Whose son “Whose son are are you, young man?” So you, young man?” So David answered, David answered, “I am “I am the son of your the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”


(1 Samuel 18:1 NKJV)(1 Samuel 18:1 NKJV) Now when he had Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.Jonathan loved him as his own soul.


Here were men of faith and because of that Here were men of faith and because of that they were men of principle.they were men of principle.


Here were men of faith and because of that Here were men of faith and because of that they were men of principle.they were men of principle.

““Few delights can equal the mere presence Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.”of one whom we trust utterly.”


They made a commitment to the genuine They made a commitment to the genuine good towards each other that no force good towards each other that no force on earth could move. on earth could move. (1 Sam 18:3-4)(1 Sam 18:3-4)


(1 Samuel 18:3-4 NKJV)(1 Samuel 18:3-4 NKJV) Then Jonathan Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.loved him as his own soul. {4} {4} And And Jonathan took off the robe that Jonathan took off the robe that was was on him on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.to his sword and his bow and his belt.

The Testing of Their FriendshipThe Testing of Their Friendship

In time every friendship based on faith and In time every friendship based on faith and principle will be tested.principle will be tested.


In time every friendship based on faith and In time every friendship based on faith and principle will be tested.principle will be tested.

Anything built on real faith will stand the Anything built on real faith will stand the test. test. (1 Jn 5:4-5)(1 Jn 5:4-5)


(1 John 5:4-5 NKJV)(1 John 5:4-5 NKJV) For whatever is born For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our victory that has overcome the world; our faith.faith. {5} {5} Who is he who overcomes the Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Son of God?


There are other kinds of friendship that will There are other kinds of friendship that will fail under test or compromise faith for the fail under test or compromise faith for the sake of friendship. Neither of these are sake of friendship. Neither of these are worth having!worth having!



““A friend is one who makes me do my A friend is one who makes me do my best.” best.”



““A friend is one who makes me do my A friend is one who makes me do my best.” best.”

““It is better to keep a friend from falling It is better to keep a friend from falling than to help him up.”than to help him up.”


Saul’s irrational hatred of David provided a Saul’s irrational hatred of David provided a great test. great test.


Saul’s irrational hatred of David provided a Saul’s irrational hatred of David provided a great test. great test.

Saul became in many ways a “spear Saul became in many ways a “spear thrower.” thrower.” (1 Sam 18:10-11)(1 Sam 18:10-11)


(1 Samuel 18:10-11 NKJV)(1 Samuel 18:10-11 NKJV) And it happened And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played inside the house. So David played music music with with his hand, as at other times; but his hand, as at other times; but there was there was a a spear in Saul’s hand.spear in Saul’s hand. {11} {11} And Saul cast the And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.


Have you ever had to go against your own Have you ever had to go against your own parents? parents? (Mat 10:37)(Mat 10:37)


(Matthew 10:37 NKJV)(Matthew 10:37 NKJV) “He who loves “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.Me.


There are great prices to pay when you go There are great prices to pay when you go against the irrational bitterness of a father, against the irrational bitterness of a father, especially when he is the king.especially when he is the king.


Jonathan was loyal to David because the Jonathan was loyal to David because the friendship was based upon faith.friendship was based upon faith.


Jonathan was loyal to David because the Jonathan was loyal to David because the friendship was based upon faith.friendship was based upon faith.

He boldly spoke the truth to his father He boldly spoke the truth to his father because he was a man of principle! because he was a man of principle! (1 Sam 19:4-6)(1 Sam 19:4-6)


(1 Samuel 19:4-6 NKJV)(1 Samuel 19:4-6 NKJV) Thus Jonathan Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works sinned against you, and because his works have been have been very good toward you.very good toward you.


{5} {5} “For he took his life in his hands and “For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw saw it it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”without a cause?” {6} {6} So Saul heeded the So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As “As the the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”


A man of principle will defend a friend A man of principle will defend a friend when he is right and rebuke him when he is when he is right and rebuke him when he is wrong. wrong. (Prov 27:6,9,17)(Prov 27:6,9,17)


(Proverbs 27:6 NKJV)(Proverbs 27:6 NKJV) Faithful Faithful are are the the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy enemy are are deceitful.deceitful.


(Proverbs 27:9 NKJV)(Proverbs 27:9 NKJV) Ointment and Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight gives delight by by hearty counsel.hearty counsel.


(Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)(Proverbs 27:17 NKJV) As As iron sharpens iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.his friend.


Real friends will not follow another’s Real friends will not follow another’s personal vendetta!personal vendetta!



Jonathan warned David in spite of Saul.Jonathan warned David in spite of Saul.



Jonathan warned David in spite of Saul.Jonathan warned David in spite of Saul. Even after a successful first rebuke, Saul Even after a successful first rebuke, Saul

went back to pursuing David.went back to pursuing David.


Saul tries to entice Jonathan by the prospect Saul tries to entice Jonathan by the prospect of the kingdom being his one day. of the kingdom being his one day. (1 Sam 20:30-31)(1 Sam 20:30-31)


(1 Samuel 20:30-31 NKJV)(1 Samuel 20:30-31 NKJV) Then Saul’s Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious rebellious woman! woman! Do I not know that you Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?nakedness?


{31} {31} “For as long as the son of Jesse lives “For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you shall not be established, on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”


The kingdom was not Saul’s to give. The kingdom was not Saul’s to give. (1 Sam 13:13-14)(1 Sam 13:13-14)


(1 Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV)(1 Samuel 13:13-14 NKJV) And Samuel And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel established your kingdom over Israel forever.forever.


{14} {14} “But now your kingdom shall not “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him LORD has commanded him to be to be commander over His people, because you commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”you.”


Friendship cannot be bought with things!Friendship cannot be bought with things!


Friendship cannot be bought with things!Friendship cannot be bought with things! Many parents make this mistake.Many parents make this mistake.


In the second rebuke Saul tried to kill his In the second rebuke Saul tried to kill his own son. own son. (1 Sam 20:32-34; 22:8)(1 Sam 20:32-34; 22:8)


(1 Samuel 20:32-34 NKJV)(1 Samuel 20:32-34 NKJV) And Jonathan And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he “Why should he be killed? What has he done?”done?” {33} {33} Then Saul cast a spear at him Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David.was determined by his father to kill David.


{34} {34} So Jonathan arose from the table in So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him because his father had treated him shamefully.shamefully.


(1 Samuel 22:8 NKJV)(1 Samuel 22:8 NKJV) “All of you have “All of you have conspired against me, and conspired against me, and there is there is no one no one who reveals to me that my son has made a who reveals to me that my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse; and covenant with the son of Jesse; and there is there is not one of you who is sorry for me or not one of you who is sorry for me or reveals to me that my son has stirred up my reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is it is this this day.”day.”


Men of principle will stand up against the Men of principle will stand up against the spear throwers.spear throwers.


Men of principle will stand up against the Men of principle will stand up against the spear throwers.spear throwers.

The pain would be relieved because The pain would be relieved because Jonathan did what was right and would not Jonathan did what was right and would not remain silent. May we have more men like remain silent. May we have more men like this in the church!this in the church!

The Loss of a Great FriendThe Loss of a Great Friend

There came a time where they had to There came a time where they had to separate. separate. (1 Sam 20:41-42)(1 Sam 20:41-42)


(1 Samuel 20:41-42 NKJV)(1 Samuel 20:41-42 NKJV) As soon as As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from the lad had gone, David arose from a a place place toward the south, fell on his face to the toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.together, but David more so.


{42} {42} Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be between you and me, and LORD be between you and me, and between your descendants and my between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’ “ So he arose and descendants, forever.’ “ So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.departed, and Jonathan went into the city.


There was no selfish interest here. This had There was no selfish interest here. This had to be done!to be done!


Jonathan knew that the Lord would be with Jonathan knew that the Lord would be with him.him.


Jonathan knew that the Lord would be with Jonathan knew that the Lord would be with him.him.

They had one final meeting. They had one final meeting. (1 Sam 23:15-18)(1 Sam 23:15-18)


(1 Samuel 23:15-18 NKJV)(1 Samuel 23:15-18 NKJV) So David saw So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David David was was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest.forest. {16} {16} Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.strengthened his hand in God.


{17} {17} And he said to him, “Do not fear, for And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.”knows that.” {18} {18} So the two of them made So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David a covenant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.his own house.


What would you tell your best friend if you What would you tell your best friend if you knew it would be your last?knew it would be your last?


““No problem is ever as dark when you have No problem is ever as dark when you have a friend to face it with you.”a friend to face it with you.”



There was no regret over the kingdom There was no regret over the kingdom because Jonathan had put God first.because Jonathan had put God first.




““Friendship is in loving rather than in being Friendship is in loving rather than in being loved.”loved.”




““Friendship is in loving rather than in being Friendship is in loving rather than in being loved.”loved.”

What would your friend strengthen you in? What would your friend strengthen you in? What is first in your life?What is first in your life?


The death of JonathanThe death of Jonathan


Jonathan died with his father in battle. Jonathan died with his father in battle. (1 Sam 31:6)(1 Sam 31:6)


(1 Samuel 31:6 NKJV)(1 Samuel 31:6 NKJV) So Saul, his three So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.together that same day.


Jonathan loved his father and willingly died Jonathan loved his father and willingly died with him. with him.


Jonathan loved his father and willingly died Jonathan loved his father and willingly died with him. with him.

A man of faith will always stand where he A man of faith will always stand where he should.should.


David remembered both Saul and Jonathan David remembered both Saul and Jonathan in “the Song of the Bow.”in “the Song of the Bow.”


David remembered both Saul and Jonathan David remembered both Saul and Jonathan in “the Song of the Bow.”in “the Song of the Bow.”

David never gave in to be bitter like Saul. David never gave in to be bitter like Saul. (2 Sam 1:18, 23)(2 Sam 1:18, 23)


(2 Samuel 1:18 NKJV)(2 Samuel 1:18 NKJV) and he told and he told them them to teach the children of Judah to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Song of the Bow; indeed the Bow; indeed it is it is written in the Book of written in the Book of Jasher:Jasher:


(2 Samuel 1:23 NKJV)(2 Samuel 1:23 NKJV) “Saul and “Saul and Jonathan Jonathan were were beloved and pleasant in their beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.They were stronger than lions.


Jonathan loss was a great loss to David. Jonathan loss was a great loss to David. They were separated only for a while. They were separated only for a while. (2 Sam 1:25-27)(2 Sam 1:25-27)


(2 Samuel 1:25-27 NKJV)(2 Samuel 1:25-27 NKJV) “How the mighty “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was was slain in your high places.slain in your high places. {26} {26} I am I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.women. {27} {27} “How the mighty have fallen, “How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!”And the weapons of war perished!”


Will you have a great reunion one day?Will you have a great reunion one day?


Will you have a great reunion one day?Will you have a great reunion one day? ““Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be As Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be As

more of heav'n in each we see.” more of heav'n in each we see.”



more of heav'n in each we see.” more of heav'n in each we see.” May each of you find this kind of friendship May each of you find this kind of friendship

in your life.in your life.


You should have that kind of friendship in You should have that kind of friendship in your marriage. your marriage. (1 Pt 3:7)(1 Pt 3:7)



more of heav'n in each we see.” more of heav'n in each we see.” May each of you find this kind of friendship May each of you find this kind of friendship

in your life.in your life. You should have that kind of friendship in You should have that kind of friendship in

your marriage. your marriage. (1 Pt 3:7)(1 Pt 3:7)


(1 Peter 3:7 NKJV)(1 Peter 3:7 NKJV) Husbands, likewise, Husbands, likewise, dwell with dwell with them them with understanding, giving with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as and as being being heirs together of the grace of heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.life, that your prayers may not be hindered.


““If we would build on a sure foundation in If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love our friends for friendship, we must love our friends for their sake rather than for our own.” their sake rather than for our own.”


We surely ought to have it among our We surely ought to have it among our brethren. brethren. (Jn 13:34-35)(Jn 13:34-35)


(John 13:34-35 NKJV)(John 13:34-35 NKJV) “A new “A new commandment I give to you, that you love commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.also love one another. {35} {35} “By this all will “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”love for one another.”


There is no friend like an old friendThere is no friend like an old friendWho has shared our morning days,Who has shared our morning days,No greeting like his welcome,No greeting like his welcome,No homage like his praise. No homage like his praise. - Oliver Wendell Holmes- Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Who are your best friends? n These choices often will reveal your values as well as your future! (Prov 27:17)