A Faithful Friend

-Through these narratives, we see David’s victories and failures, his worship and his weaknesses, his triumphs and his tears. In every moment, David’s story reminds us that God was pointing beyond him to a greater King still to come.

-That greater King is Jesus Christ—the true Son of David, the eternal Shepherd, the One who conquered our greatest enemies of sin and death. While David’s reign was marked by both glory and brokenness, Jesus’ reign is marked by perfection, humility, sacrifice, and victory.

-Where David abused power, Jesus laid His down. Where David stumbled, Jesus stood firm. Where David could only foreshadow hope, Jesus is the fulfillment of hope. This series will not only retell the story of David but also lift our eyes to Jesus, the King whose throne will never end and whose kingdom is established in grace, justice, and everlasting love.

Pray!

Read John 15:13–15 “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.”

Intro

-Have you ever had a friend who would do anything for you? Someone who showed up when life was falling apart, who stood by you when everyone else walked away?

-Those kinds of friends are rare — and when we find them, we know they are a gift from God and we hold on to those friendships and value them.

-Our passage today tells the story of one of the greatest friendships in all of Scripture — the friendship between David and Jonathan. This was not just a casual “hang-out” friendship. It was a covenant friendship, a relationship marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and love.

-And even as we admire their example, we are meant to look beyond them — because their friendship points us to the one Friend who never fails, the one Friend who laid down His life for us: Jesus Christ.

1. A Covenant of Loyalty

Read 1 Samuel 18:1–4.

-David has just defeated Goliath. He is the hero of Israel. Crowds are singing his praises. But instead of seeing David as a rival, Jonathan sees him as a kindred spirit.

-Verse 1 says, “Jonathan became bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as himself.”

-Notice what Jonathan does next — he makes a covenant with David and gives him his robe, his sword, his bow, and his belt.That’s not just a generous gift. Jonathan is the crown prince — these were the symbols of his royal identity.

-It’s as if Jonathan is saying,

“David, I recognize that God has chosen you. I will not compete with God’s plan. I surrender my rights, my throne, my ambitions — for the sake of God’s will and for the sake of our friendship.”

That is loyalty. Jonathan wasn’t loyal to David because it was convenient. He was loyal because it was right. But would Jonathan be so willing to do this…

Shared Faith in the Lord

Jonathan had already shown strong faith in God before he met David (see 1 Samuel 14:6, where he said, “Perhaps the LORD will help us. Nothing can keep the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”).

When David faced Goliath, he showed that same fearless trust in God.

Jonathan recognized a kindred spirit in David—someone who lived with bold confidence in the Lord. Their souls were knit together because they shared the same ultimate allegiance.

Mutual Respect and Admiration

Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the rightful heir to the throne. Humanly speaking, David was his rival.

But instead of being jealous or threatened, Jonathan admired David’s courage and God’s anointing on his life.

1 Samuel 18:1 says Jonathan “loved him as much as himself.” That’s covenantal language. Jonathan’s respect for David’s character and calling created a deep, enduring bond.

Covenant Commitment

Their friendship wasn’t casual—it was sealed with a covenant (1 Samuel 18:3).

In this verse, the word "covenant" refers to a formal, binding agreement or pledge between two people. In Hebrew, the word used is בְּרִית (berit), which literally means a treaty, alliance, or solemn agreement often sealed by an oath or symbolic act.

-In verse 4 it shows Jonathan acting out the covenant he made in verse 3. His actions were symbolic and powerful:

Jonathan’s robe – This represented his position as the king’s son and heir to the throne. By giving it to David, Jonathan was acknowledging David’s future kingship and pledging loyalty.

His military tunic, sword, bow, and belt – These represented his strength, protection, and personal commitment. Jonathan was essentially saying, “I will defend you, fight alongside you, and put my strength at your service.”

-This is all symbolically surrendering his claim to the throne.

-Covenant is not just an Old Testament idea — it shows us how God calls us to live in faithful, sacrificial relationships today.

Marriage as a Covenant

Marriage is not just a contract (based on feelings or performance) but a covenant — a promise before God to love, serve, and remain faithful.

Like Jonathan, we are called to lay down our rights (symbolized by Jonathan giving his robe) and put the needs of our spouse before our own (Ephesians 5:25).

We “give our sword and bow” by protecting the relationship, fighting for unity, and working through challenges rather than abandoning one another.

 Friendship as a Covenant

While friendships today are not always formal covenants, Jonathan’s example reminds us that true friendship is faithful, sacrificial, and loyal — even when it costs us something.

We can “give our robe” by humbling ourselves, celebrating our friends’ victories, and not competing with them.

We can “give our sword” by standing up for them, praying for them, and being present when they face hardship.

-Deep marriages and friendships grow strongest not in times of ease, but in the fires of adversity. David and Jonathan’s loyalty only deepened when it cost them something.

-This wasn’t a friendship of convenience; it was sacrificial. Jonathan was willing to risk his position, even his life, to protect David. which we will see once we get into our main text for the day.

-Think about how rare that is in our world today. We live in a culture where loyalty often lasts only as long as we get what we want.

Jobs, marriages, friendships — so many end when they stop feeling “beneficial.” But Jonathan’s friendship shows us a different way — a covenant way — a way that says, “I’m with you, even if it costs me.”

2. A Covenant Tested

 1 Samuel 20:1–23 (CSB)

Scene Setting (vv. 1–3)

-David is in crisis. He’s not paranoid — Saul really does want him dead (19:10, 19:11). He flees to find Jonathan, confused and heartbroken.

“What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my life?” (v. 1)

-This is the cry of an innocent man seeking answers. David isn’t just worried about his own safety — he’s seeking relational clarity. Jonathan initially struggles to believe Saul would kill David (v. 2), but David swears on oath that Saul is hiding his true intentions from Jonathan because he knows they are close (v. 3).

-This is often how covenant relationships get tested — not just by outside pressure but by confusion, misunderstanding, and fear.

Jonathan’s Loyalty on Display (vv. 4–8)

Jonathan responds with availability: “Whatever you say, I’ll do for you.” (v. 4)

-Notice this — Jonathan doesn’t argue, doesn’t defend his father, doesn’t accuse David of overreacting. He simply offers himself.

David then proposes a test:

He will skip the New Moon festival, an event he is expected to attend at Saul’s table.

If Saul responds calmly, David is safe.

If Saul becomes angry, David knows Saul intends to kill him (vv. 5–7).

David then appeals to their covenant (v. 8):

“Deal kindly with your servant, for you brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD.”

In other words:

“Jonathan, remember the promise we made before God. Stand with me now.”

-This is where we see covenant friendship shine — not just in good times, but when everything is on the line.

Jonathan’s Covenant Renewal (vv. 12–17)

-Jonathan takes this moment seriously. He goes beyond simply agreeing to the plan — he renews the covenant with David, invoking the LORD as witness:

“May the LORD punish Jonathan and do so severely if I fail to tell you and send you away, so you may leave safely.” (v. 13)

-Jonathan knows he may be undermining his father’s reign by protecting David — but he chooses to stand on the side of righteousness.

-Then Jonathan does something radical: he asks David for kindness toward his family forever (vv. 14–15). This is a stunning act of humility — the crown prince asking the shepherd boy turned warrior for mercy toward his future descendants.

-The text says Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself (v. 17).

Personal Cost and Courage (vv. 18–23)

-Jonathan and David plan the signal with arrows — a clever plan to communicate secretly. Jonathan is willing to put himself in harm’s way to get the truth and protect David.

-This section highlights:

Jonathan’s courage — willing to risk Saul’s wrath.

Jonathan’s humility — yielding to God’s plan for David to be king.

Jonathan’s faithfulness — keeping the covenant even when tested by danger.

So what does all this mean for Us

Covenant relationships will be tested. Friendships, marriages, church community — they will face seasons of tension, misunderstanding, and risk.

Loyalty means presence and action. Jonathan didn’t just say “I’m with you”; he showed up and took action to protect David.

Faithful friends point us back to God’s purposes. Jonathan’s loyalty wasn’t blind — it was rooted in his trust in the LORD’s plan.

-Pursue Friendships that Honor God

Look for friends who share your faith — people who will point you back to God, not pull you away.

True friendship starts with shared devotion to the Lord.

-Be Loyal — Even When It Costs You

Jonathan’s loyalty cost him his throne, his status, and nearly his life.

Are we willing to stand by others, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular?

-Choose Sacrifice Over Self-Interest

Jonathan laid down his robe and weapons.

What would it look like for you to lay something down for someone else’s good — your time, your resources, your comfort?

-As incredible as Jonathan’s loyalty and love for David were, they were just a shadow of a greater reality. Jonathan risked his life for David — but Jesus gave His life for you.

Jesus Calls Us Friends

-Listen to Jesus’ own words that we started this morning off with:

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore… I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.”

-That is staggering. The Son of God — holy, eternal, all-powerful — does not just call us servants, disciples, or followers.

He calls us friends.

Think about that for a moment:

A servant obeys because they have to.

A friend obeys because they love and trust.

Jesus invites us into that kind of relationship — one not based on fear or compulsion but on love and intimacy.

Jonathan Risked His Life — Jesus Gave His Life

-Jonathan stood up to his father, risked his life, and protected David.

-But Jesus went beyond risk — He willingly stepped into death for us.

-Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

-Jonathan’s friendship cost him a throne, a kingdom, and eventually his life in battle.

-Jesus’ friendship cost Him His blood, His breath, His life on the cross — and He did it knowing we had rebelled against Him.

Jonathan Made a Covenant — Jesus Made a Better Covenant

-Jonathan’s covenant with David was sealed by a promise and some exchanged garments.

-Jesus’ covenant is sealed by His blood (Luke 22:20) — a covenant that cannot be broken because it rests on His finished work, not on our performance.

-Because of this new covenant, we don’t have to fear being abandoned or rejected.

-Even when we fail, even when we fall short, Jesus’ loyalty to His people never wavers.

Jonathan and David Parted — Jesus Stays Forever

-Jonathan and David had to say goodbye — and it broke their hearts.

-But Jesus makes a different promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

-He is the friend who is closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). People will fail us — friends will disappoint us, even those we love most will let us down at some point — but our Savior will never lead us astray, never abandon us, never stop loving us.

Nurturing Our Friendship with Jesus

-Here’s the key: friendship is meant to be nurtured. Even though Jesus is a faithful Friend, we are invited to draw near to Him daily.

How do we nurture our friendship with Christ?

Spend Time with Him in His Word

Just as friends talk and share life, we hear His heart through Scripture.

Friendship deepens when we actually know what our Friend cares about.

Talk with Him in Prayer

Prayer is not just a duty — it’s conversation with the One who loves you.

Share your fears, your joys, your frustrations, your gratitude.

Obey Him Out of Love

Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14)

Obedience isn’t about earning His friendship — it’s the way we live in it and show we trust Him.

Walk in His Presence Daily

Jonathan couldn’t always be with David, but Jesus is with us always.

Practice remembering He is with you in every decision, every challenge, every moment.

A Word of Comfort

Maybe you’ve been betrayed by friends or abandoned by people you trusted. Maybe your experience of friendship is one of disappointment.

Hear this: Jesus is not like them. He is loyal when others walk away. He is faithful when others fail. He is the Friend who went to the cross so that you could sit at His table forever.

The friendship Jesus offers is not automatic — it must be received. Just like David had to accept Jonathan’s covenant gifts, we must receive Jesus’ gift of salvation by faith.

And once we do, we are invited to walk in friendship with Him every day — growing closer, trusting more deeply, and reflecting His loyal love to others.