Risking It All for a Friend

Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much, so he told him: “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there. I’ll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are and talk to him about you. When I see what [he says], I’ll tell you.” Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: . . . “Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” . . . Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” 1 Samuel 19:1-4,6 (hcsb)

The most beautiful picture of friendship in Scripture is the friendship between Jonathan and David. Jonathan was in line to become king behind his father, Saul. However, God had chosen David to be the next king. David was having great success in all he did, including killing the giant Goliath. The people were rallying behind David. Jonathan had every reason to despise David. Saul certainly despised David out of jealousy.

Saul ordered Jonathan to kill David, and Jonathan refused. But this was Jonathan’s chance. He had the opportunity to advance his own causes ahead of David’s.

Given the same opportunity, what would you do? You may not murder someone, but if you had the chance to advance your standing in a group of people, or advance your career, or even get the attention you crave in a church group simply by saying something negative about someone who is supposed to be your friend, would you? Would you be upset or would you rejoice if your friend found out she was going to have a child when you have struggled getting pregnant? Would you be jealous or would you celebrate if your friend at work got the promotion you thought you would get?

Not only did Jonathan not get jealous and kill David, he warned his friend. Then he even went to his father and spoke in support of David. That was quite a risk to take. Jonathan was willing to put everything on the line for the sake of his friend David.

What would you risk for your friends? If necessary, would you put your own name and reputation on the line for your friend? If you have had a friend who has taken a risk for you, take a few moments and thank God for that friend and the risk she took. Then take a few moments and write a thank-you note or e-mail to let her know how much you appreciate her.

Father, thank You for my friend who took a risk for my sake. Help me be the kind of friend willing to risk for the sake of my friends, even if it results in ridicule. In Jesus’ name, amen.