Bible Text: 1 Samuel 20 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Transformed Living
1 Samuel 20:1 – 42 The Friendship of David and Jonathan
In the midst of the battle for David’s life, there is grace found in David’s friendship with Jonathan, the son of Saul.
1 Samuel 20:4 Tell me what I can do to help you…
1 Samuel 20:24-31 So David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon festival began, the king sat down to eat. He sat at his usual place against the wall, with Jonathan sitting opposite him and Abner beside him. But David’s place was empty. Saul didn’t say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, Something must have made David ceremonially unclean. But when David’s place was empty again the next day, Saul asked Jonathan, Why hasn’t the son of Jesse been here for the meal either yesterday or today?
Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. You stupid son of a whore! he swore at him. Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother? As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!
1 Samuel 20:33 Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him.
David is in a Battle
In the midst of the chaos and craziness, in the midst of one of the fiercest battles of David’s life, God doesn’t deliver David from the battle; instead, he sends a friend into the heat of the battle, a man who will fight with David and for David. His name is Jonathan.
This is still God’s pattern for the Christian life. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are in a battle.
John 16:33 …Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
1 Peter 5:10 …So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation
Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
What does God do for us in the midst of the battle?
Galatians 5:16 …let the Holy Spirit guide your lives
What does the Bible teach us about friendships?
There are THREE basic kinds of friends:
Friends are people who share same or similar common interests and/or life circumstances with us.
Close friends are people we intentionally choose to share our life with for a variety of reasons.
Best friends are people we let into our inner life; these are our mates and/or 1-2 other individuals.
Good friends require wise choices.
Proverbs 27:19 As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.
The friends you chose show the kind of person you are.
Proverbs 12:26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
What does the Bible say about the kind of people that we SHOULD NOT choose as our close friends?
Lazy people: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Stay away from all believers who live idle lives…
Angry people: Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with an angry ..
Immoral people: 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 …I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
Greedy people: Proverbs 23:6-7 Don’t eat with people who are stingy;
Unbelieving people: 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
Who SHOULD BE our closest friends?
Friends who CHALLENGE us intellectually – friends who cause us to think.
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Friends who SUPPORT us emotionally – a friend is someone who walks in when everyone else walks out!
Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal,  and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
They don’t see through you, they see you through!
Friends who STRENGTHEN us spiritually – not drain us, rather build us up!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up…
Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
How can I attract these types of friends?
By being a LOYAL (chesed) friend.
Jonathan made a covenant with David (18:3)
David says, Show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord (20:8)
Jonathon asks, Show me unfailing kindness like that of the Lord as long as I live (20:14, 15) 
The key word is the Hebrew word chesed.
This is sacrificial loyal love.
2 Samuel 9:1 Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
Friends won’t let you down when life is complicated.
Friends are loyal even when it’s inconvenient.
Friends demonstrate loyalty.
What are the covenants that God has placed in your life?
Chesed costs
Chesed brings pain
Chesed releases blessing
Chesed is eternal
Chesed is love