FOREVER FRIENDS

Friends are one of the most important components of a complete life. A friend is someone who loves, cares and stands with you uncompromisingly, even when the whole world turns against you. A friend is someone who speaks the truth to our face, but it does not sting us, nor scorch us. A friend’s is someone who bears with all our drama and the emotional swings, and walks along as if everything is fine, even though he knows the truth. A friend is someone who is unashamed of us, and unapologetic about us. This is precisely what the Bible says…
– “17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
– “24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

One such friendship is seen in the friendship between Jonathan and David. Jonathan was a Prince, and the Crown Prince to boot. David on the other hand was from a simple family, a mere shepherd boy, who had no great standing even in his own family. The friendship between them was like the friendship between “The Prince and the Pauper” if I may call it.

The friendship between Jonathan and David, had a lot at stake for Jonathan. Jonathan had everything to lose, because God chose David to be the next king. Yet, Jonathan was not jealous, nor envious of David, who was to occupy the throne, which would have been Jonathan’s. Rather, he was glad for his friend David. This is friendship at its best. This is love in its full bloom. This is where we see the love for a friend being tested in the severest of fire, and Jonathan coming out of the furnace, as the purest of pure gold. This is why I believe, Jonathan making the greater contribution in the “Forever Friendship” with David.
– “​1 Now when he [David] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” – 1 Samuel 18:1,3

David too realised this. It is seen in the way he treated the offspring of Jonathan, when he ascended the throne. Jonathan had died by then, in the battle.
– “26 I am in distress for you, my brother Jonathan, || You were very pleasant to me; Your love was wonderful to me, || Above the love of women!” – 2 Samuel 1:26
– “​1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” – 2 Samuel 9:1
– “7 And David said unto him [Mephibosheth,] Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” – 2 Samuel 9:7

Friendship between Jonathan and David stood the test of time because, it is founded on self-less-ness, self-sacrificing and self-effacing principle, where the friend takes precedence over self and self-interest. Unconditional Love, Unasked Forgiveness and Absolute Sacrifice form the foundation of such “FOREVER FRIENDS.” Such love, forgiveness and sacrifice should define any and every human relationship. 

A friend is someone who loves you more than himself. Such friendship is rare. Such friendship is uncontaminated. Such friendship is pure. Such friendship is precious. Such friendship is priceless. Happy is the one who has such friends. Such friendships stand strong and firm, just as on the day it began, even without any word exchanged, and even when there is no communication, for years on end. This is the hallmark of “FOREVER FRIENDS” and in all its beauty. This is seen between Jonathan and David – 1 Samuel 20:1-17. How about us? Even so, the LORD help us to be “FOREVER FRIENDS.”