Close friendships are one of the blessings God has given us. The Bible uses the phrase “Closer than a Brother” to describe them. When God puts one of these people in our lives we need to be thankful for it. David and Jonathan are a perfect example. Even though they weren’t close in years their hearts were knit together.
1 Samuel 18:1,12,14
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” “Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.” “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.”
Kindred Spirit
Sometimes when God is working through us, He will lead others to us that have a kindred spirit. Jonathan was that kindred spirit to David. Although he was Saul’s son, Jonathan saw something in David that drew him to David. That friendship lasted through some challenging episodes. Proverbs 18:24 says: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This lasting friendship was mutually beneficial to both. Think about this for just a second. Jonathan was next in line to the throne yet he knew that David was destined for it. He wasn’t intimidated or jealous of David in any way. He lived to his final days defending his friend to his jealous father.
Closer Than a Brother
David was blessed by this friendship. When Saul was throwing spears, it was Jonathan who encouraged and counseled him. Jonathan was a go-between his father and David. He defended him when he was gone from a banquet while at the same time worked to bring reconciliation between the two. You can read between the lines of scripture and realize that these two men enjoyed each others company. Contrast this with David’s brothers who ridiculed him when he wanted to fight Goliath, and you begin to understand the phrase “closer than a brother.” When God sends someone like this into your life cherish it. David didn’t have Jonathan around for long, but while he did, he didn’t take it for granted.