-April 17, 2023-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“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.”
(1 Samuel 18:1).
There was a strong affection and bond between Jonathan and David. They cared about each other and supported one another. They were best friends, or as we may say today, they were “besties.” They were sidekicks and had a great friendship and relationship. They opened their hearts to one another.
Their friendship grew and flourished even though Jonathan’s father Saul hated David, was jealous of him, and sought to kill him numerous times. David did nothing to warrant Saul’s displeasure and only did him good and supported his reign. Jonathan did everything he could to protect David from his father. That meant having to send David away for his own safety. After this they never saw each other on earth again. Jonathan, his brothers, and his father all were killed in battle against the Philistines. It would have been good if Jonathan had left his father and joined David, but he didn’t.
We all need a best friend, a brother or sister in Christ we can share our hearts with. The phrase used here in our text is, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” It can be translated as, “the life of Jonathan was bound up with the life of David.” They were soul brothers. It’s not a word, but they had souladarity not just solidarity. Women often have a closer personal relationships with each other more than men do. They share their experiences, problems, issues, and feelings much better than men.
A good, close friend that we can share with and be accountable to is of vital importance. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” It also says in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Close friendships involve giving and taking, helping and being helped. We need each other. May the Lord knit our souls together in true oneness and love in Christ. Have a blessed day in every way. Stay safe and healthy.
Fostering close friendships that will last for eternity,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 