Friends in the night

The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.    â€” 1 Samuel 18:1

Do you have someone you could call in the middle of the night if you needed help? Bible teacher Ray Pritchard calls these people “2 a.m. friends.” If you have an emergency, this kind of friend would ask you two questions: “Where are you?” and “What do you need?”

Friends like that are crucial during difficult times. Jonathan was that type of friend for David. Jonathan’s father, King Saul — who was filled with envy at David’s popularity and God’s blessing on him — tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19:9-10). David escaped and asked his friend for help (ch. 20). While David hid in the field, Jonathan sat at dinner with his father and quickly realized that Saul did indeed intend to kill David (vv.24-34).

Because of their deep friendship, Jonathan “was grieved for David” (v.34). He warned him of his father’s plan and told him he should leave (vv.41-42). David recognized what a good friend he had in Jonathan. The Bible says they wept together, “but David more so” (v.41). Their souls were “knit” together.

Do you have loving Christian friends you can count on in a crisis? Are you someone your friends would call a “2 a.m. friend”?                     —  Anne Cetas

Thank God for you,

good friend of mine,

Seldom is friendship such as thine;

How very much I wish to be

As helpful as you’ve been to me.

                                             — Clark

READ: 1 Samuel 20:30-42

A true friend stands with us in times of trial.