What a Friend We Have in Jesus

By John Madge

“Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty. The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel. I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. Then I will send a boy and say, “Go, find the arrows.” If I say to him, “Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,” then come, because, as surely as the Lord lives, you are safe; there is no danger. But if I say to the boy, “Look, the arrows are beyond you,” then you must go, because the Lord has sent you away. And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever.’ So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon feast came, the king sat down to eat. He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David’s place was empty. Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, ‘Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.’ But the next day, the second day of the month, David’s place was empty again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, ‘Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?’ Jonathan answered, ‘David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, “Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.” That is why he has not come to the king’s table.’ Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!’ ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.”—­1 Samuel 20:18–34 (NIV)

The bond between David and Jonathan stands as one of the most powerful examples of Christ-like love in all of Scripture. Their unwavering loyalty and deep friendship reflect the very heart of Jesus’ command: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). Throughout their relationship, Scripture highlights key moments that exemplify selfless, sacrificial love, pointing us to the love of Christ.

Let’s start by examining the first recorded meeting between Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV) states, “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” Notice the two key expressions: “became one in spirit” and “he loved him as himself.”

These phrases beautifully illustrate two aspects of Christ-like love. The first reflects the unity believers share through Christ: “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:18 NIV). The second echoes Jesus’ command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV). Together, they reveal the depth of Jonathan and David’s bond—a friendship rooted in the very love and unity Christ calls us to embody.

It’s easy to say we love or care for someone, but true love is shown through action. 1 Samuel 18:1 reveals the deep, intangible bond between David and Jonathan, but verses 3 and 4 demonstrate that love in a tangible way. Scripture tells us that Jonathan and David made a covenant, and Jonathan gave David his robe, tunic, armor, sword, belt, and bow. In doing so, Jonathan willingly surrendered everything that could have positioned him as a rival to David, instead choosing a covenant of peace and brotherhood. This act is especially remarkable given that, by worldly standards, Jonathan and David should have been competitors for the throne of Israel. Just as Saul voiced in today’s Scripture, “As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established.”

Unlike his father Saul, who operated out of fear, Jonathan chose a path of faith and selfless love. Instead of grasping for power, he embraced Christ-like humility, surrendering his own ambitions in obedience to God’s greater plan. His devotion to David went beyond words—it was a love demonstrated through sacrifice. In today’s passage, we see Jonathan risk his own life for David, a testament to the depth of their bond. It’s truly remarkable to witness such a profound and selfless love between two people—one that’s not defined by romance but by unwavering loyalty, trust, and a commitment to God’s will.

Even more profound than the relationship between Jonathan and David is the relationship extended to us by Christ. Jesus invites you and me into a covenant relationship with Himself. He imparts righteousness unto us in exchange for our sinfulness, which he bore on the cross. He advocates for you and me to the Father in heaven, intercedes on our behalf, and fights our battles. He’s a faithful and loyal friend without comparison. He loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us.

Pause: Consider the friendship you have in Jesus.

Practice: Consider ways you can be more intentional in your friendships so you can display Christ-like love and friendship.

Pray: Father, forgive me for when I only think of myself and my own needs or desires. Help me to live like Your son Jesus, who emptied Himself and humbled Himself for Your glory and to point others to You. Help me to be a better friend to You and to others. Amen.