Making friends: David’s Model for Compromise

The Bible tells of the wonderful friendship between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 18. Their friendship was one of trust, protection, love and support.

In verse 3, Jonathan makes a covenant with David, promising that they would always be friends. Jonathan loved David so much that he protected him from his father, King Saul, and his malicious plan to kill David. This friendship displays the principle of Proverbs 18:24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

The friendship between Jonathan and David serves as an example to all Christians who want to exemplify what it means to have godly friendships. While the world tells us to outperform our friends in success, relationship status and likes or followers, the Bible outlines what it means to have a friendship that resembles the one we have with Jesus.

Godly friends rejoice and weep with one another.

Jealousy can ruin friendships. All of us go through different seasons in life. Some of your friends may be getting married, starting their dream jobs or moving to a new city. Whatever the circumstance, Romans 12:15 calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

You will face trials and tribulations in this life. There may be times when you need to pray for your friend or sit beside them and let them cry on your shoulder. Ask how you can serve them or be there for them in their times of sorrow or pain.

Godly friends push each other to follow Jesus and obey him.

Say your friend is entering a relationship with someone who is not a Christian. Will you stand by and hold your tongue, or will you lovingly point your friend to what the Bible says? Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of the enemy.”

Once, I had to correct a friend on her attempt to “missionary date.” I wrestled for weeks on if I should say anything, mainly because I was afraid. But I was reminded of that verse and realized that loving her meant correcting her in a godly manner.

Godly friendships are also built on love and trust.

The bond between friends is a blessing God allows us to experience. Friends can be your confidants and surround you with love, especially in troubling times. David had to trust that Jonathan was going to protect him from Saul. On the other side of the relationship, Jonathan loved David enough to protect him at all costs and convince his father not to kill David. 

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” 

Don’t be a fair-weather friend and leave when times get hard. These moments can produce the most fruit and bring friends closer to one another.

John 15:12-13 says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Friendship takes sacrifice.

In a world full of self-love and put-yourself-first ideology, God calls us to love and sacrifice for our friends. Friendship takes work, and if you aren’t willing to put in that effort, you need to re-evaluate what friendship means to you. 

Jonathan and David created a beautiful friendship, and using the Bible as your guide, you can create one too.

Denny is an opinion writer for the Liberty Champion.