Role Models- Jonathan

Proverbs 17:17 NKJV

17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

How do we build friendships?

What would life be like without friends?

What do our friendships/relationships say about us?

In a 2021 article entitles, “Has Social Media Ruined The Idea Of Friendship?” The author gives reasons why social media has changed the way people view friendship.

“First, online communities are replacing familial and communal relationships. These online communities remove the ability for people with different views and varying life stories to find commonality based on a shared life.”

“Second, social media has changed the way we see ourselves, not simply the way we see others. Experts and laypeople alike have meticulously manufactured their surroundings—using artificial lighting and purposefully positioned backgrounds—not only to convey a certain identity to people watching. It is also done to portray our own personal brand to ourselves. We use the tools at our disposal to create the personas we want to show the world.”

How has social media has shifted the way people make friends?

We live in a day where many people have “friends” but very few make the time to grow their friendships.

Scripture shows that our ultimate friend is Jesus (John 15:14-15). But, we also need Godly friendships and relationships in our lives. Just as the Bible provides examples of model men (Noah) and women (Hannah), it also provides examples of model friendships.

This lesson will describe the benefits of Godly friendship.

Modeling Friendship in the Good Times

1 Samuel 18:1-4

David’s best friend in life was Jonathan.On paper the friendship between they should not have happened. David was anointed by God to be the next king, and Jonathan was the son of the current king.

Jonathan was in line to be king. Future kings were not elected; their position was inherited. However, God gave David and Jonathan a closeness that was pivotal for David's survival.

After David defeated Goliath, people began to celebrate his success. King Saul became jealous of David and was in his sights from that point forward.

Instead of becoming jealous, Jonathan took off his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt and placed it on David. His symbolic act shows his submission to the anointing that was on David's life.

How can jealousy ruin a friendship?

Together they made the first of three covenants.

A covenant is different from a contract. In a contract, the terms of the agreement are explained. In a covenant, an oath is made that cannot be revoked. Contracts can be broken; covenants cannot.

David and Jonathan entered a covenant before God to help each other, pray for each other, and support each other. Their friendship models how to help each other in good times.

Jonathan modeled spiritual maturity as he celebrated David’s success. In a Godly friendship, both parties will want the best for the other person.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 NKJV

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

A true friend will celebrate our successes and triumphs.

Why should we celebrate when good happens to our friends?

If jealousy rises in a friendship what should we do?

Modeling Friendship in the Worrying Times

1 Samuel 20:1-3

Jonathan remained a loyal friend. David grew worried about Saul’s consistent persecution against David. David was worried for his life and had to run from his home, leaving behind a good position, his wife.

He confronted Jonathan and asked why Saul was set on killing him. Jonathan was still under the impression that Saul would not harm David. David explained that Saul was concealing his jealousy of David from Jonathan.

Why is honesty important in a friendship?

What do we do when a friend is honest and we do not like what we hear?

David spoke to Jonathan and explained the situation. Because Jonathan trusted David he listened, and they devised a plan. It was nearing time to celebrate a three-day weekend.

David was supposed to be in the palace to celebrate. He decided to skip the festivities. Should Saul ask Jonathan where David was, he was to answer, "he went home to celebrate with his father." If Saul was upset, then David needed to stay away. If he was calm, everything was fine.

1 Samuel 20:14-16

Before David left, he and Jonathan made another covenant. Jonathan asked that David would treat his family kindly in the future. He wanted to know if things went poorly for him and he lost his life, would David as future king care for his family?

Years later, after David was king, David wanted to see if there was anyone from Saul’s family who needed kindness from the king. Jonathan had a son was physically disabled.

David kept his word and let Mephibosheth eat at the kings table. He cared for Jonathan’s son the rest of his life (2 Samuel 21).

David’s friendship extended to Jonathan’s family. They were there for each other in good and worrying times. When David worried, Jonathan listened and sought to help. When Jonathan worried, David was there for him.

What good things can we do/say when a friend is worried?

What bad things can we do/say when a friend is worried?

Modeling Friendship in the Bad Times

1 Samuel 23:15-18

Life continued to grow worse for David. He had to leave home and ended up living in a cave, surrounded by people who were in debt, distressed, and discontent.

David was genuinely concerned for his life. He barely escaped from Saul and was concerned that he would find him. David was at a low point. Since God promised that David would become king, it seemed life continued to grow worse.

At his lowest point, God sent Jonathan to David again. When Jonathan heard that Saul was out to kill David, he went to find his friend. He went out of his way to let David know that God was still faithful and He will not leave David.

Jonathan offered Godly advice and help.

What is the difference between advice and Godly advice?

Jonathan affirmed David and encouraged him to depend on the Lord. Jonathan’s Godly wisdom was all he needed to keep going.

Jonathan never ceased remaining loyal to David. Eventually, Saul was killed and his son, Jonathan died in battle.

How do you think David reacted to Jonathan’s death?

How did Jonathan’s friendship help David?

2 Samuel 1:11-12

David would not have been where he was in his life had he not had a loyal and trustworthy friend like Jonathan.

Application

Godly friends make all the difference. At every pivotal moment in David’s life, God sent Jonathan. Three different times they made a covenant.

Just as David made a covenant with Jonathan, Jesus makes a covenant with us.

John 15:12–15 NKJV

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus made a promise to us to be our friend. He will never leave us or forsake us. But He also wants us to be that type of friend to others. While friends might not make covenants as they did in the days of David and Jonathan, when we come to Christ we enter into a covenant relationship with God.

Because we are in a relationship with Jesus, He wants us to build Godly relationships and friendships with others.

He is the friend that sticks close, so we can model that type of friendship with others.

Why is it important to have Godly friends?

How does Jesus help us in the good, worrying, and bad times?

How are David and Jonathan role models for Godly friendships?