TUESDAY June 25, 2019
Loyal Friendships
Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you.
Then what I observe, I will tell you.”
1 Samuel 19:1-3
Saul was not satisfied; he wanted David dead, but he was still alive and prospering. The Lord continued to be with him. So Saul decided to speak to his son Jonathan and his servants to persuade them to kill David for him. I am sure Jonathan was perplexed about his father’s intentions to kill his friend. He might have questioned his father, saying, “Why do you want to kill David? What has he done to you?”
By defending David, Jonathan really placed himself out on a limb. Instead of agreeing with his father’s plan, he refused to go along with it. Jonathan’s love for David was greater than his love for his father, and he guarded his friendship. Jonathan never betrayed his friend; they were completely knit together. Jonathan warned his friend about his father’s intentions to kill him. He knew God was with David, and he helped him tremendously.
As a true friend, Jonathan gave David wise counsel. He told him to hide until he discerned whether his father’s anger was out of control. He would know if Saul wanted to kill David. In doing so, Jonathan protected his friend while trying to appease and talk sense to his father.
Sometimes difficult situations happen, and loyalty to a friendship is tested. It is important to remain a loyal friend. Always ask the Lord for wisdom in finding a solution. No matter what happens, be loyal; never betray a friend.
Unquestionably the highest privilege granted to man on earth is to be admitted into the circle of the friends of God.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!