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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll discover how Jonathan’s example shows us the importance of faithful friendships that strengthen us in our walk with God.

Key Verse

1 Samuel 23:16: And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

Introduction

Jonathan is one of the most selfless men we meet in all of Scripture. As the rightful heir to his father Saul’s throne, Jonathan had every reason to see David as a threat to his future. But Jonathan recognized that God’s hand was upon David, and he willingly stepped aside for his friend. Even more remarkable, he did this while his own father was trying to kill David.

Jonathan’s story teaches us something vital about the Christian life—we all need faithful friends who will stand by us, encourage us, and help us stay close to God. Even the strongest believers benefit from godly friendships that strengthen their hands in the Lord.

What makes Jonathan such a powerful example for us? He shows us that we can choose to live faithfully even when we grow up in difficult circumstances. Though Jonathan’s father Saul became jealous, bitter, and disobedient to God, Jonathan chose a different path. This reminds us that we are all responsible to God for our own choices and character, regardless of our family background or the failures of others around us.

In this lesson, we’ll explore Jonathan’s character through two main aspects of his life:

• Jonathan the courageous warrior
• Jonathan the faithful friend

Jonathan the Warrior

Before we see Jonathan as David’s faithful friend, we first meet him as a brave warrior who trusted completely in God’s power. His military exploits show us the kind of heart that made him such a valuable friend later.

Jonathan first appears in Scripture leading a thousand men in battle against the Philistines. Though he commanded fewer troops than his father Saul, God blessed Jonathan’s efforts because his heart was right with the Lord.

But the most remarkable example of Jonathan’s courage comes when he and his armor-bearer decided to attack an entire Philistine garrison by themselves:

1 Samuel 14:6-7: Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

From this amazing act of faith, we learn several important lessons about Jonathan’s character that would later make him such a valuable friend to David.

First, Jonathan had a strong zeal for God and was a man of action. He didn’t just sit around hoping things would get better—he stepped out in faith. As believers, we should follow his example of making the most of our time and being urgent about God’s work.

Second, Jonathan was a good example for those who followed him. Notice how his armor-bearer was completely committed to supporting Jonathan’s plan. When we live with courage and faith, others are inspired to join us in serving God.

Third, Jonathan understood God’s character perfectly. He knew that the size of an army doesn’t matter to God—the Lord can save by many or by few. This deep understanding of God’s unlimited power would sustain Jonathan through many difficult situations.

Fourth, Jonathan acted with pure motives. He wasn’t seeking personal glory or trying to impress people. In fact, no one even knew he had left the camp until after the victory was won. (Notebook Moment: How does Jonathan’s example challenge you to examine your own motives when you serve God? Are you seeking His glory or your own recognition?)

These character qualities that made Jonathan a great warrior also made him a faithful friend. The same courage, faith, and selflessness that led him to attack a Philistine garrison would later lead him to risk his life to protect and encourage David.

Jonathan the Friend

Jonathan’s friendship with David is one of the most beautiful relationships described anywhere in Scripture. The Bible tells us their story through four different encounters that show us what true friendship looks like.

➤ Their Friendship Begins

The first story describes how Jonathan and David’s friendship began and grew strong:

1 Samuel 18:1-4: After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

This passage teaches us something important about the foundation of all good friendships. Jonathan and David became “one in spirit”—their friendship was based on their common love for God and their shared commitment to serving Him. The strongest friendships are always built on what we have in common spiritually, not just on shared interests or backgrounds.

Notice how generous Jonathan was with David from the very beginning. He gave David his royal robe, his weapons, and his belt. These weren’t just gifts—they were symbols that Jonathan recognized David’s calling and was willing to honor him even though it meant giving up his own claim to the throne.

➤ Jonathan the Peacemaker

The second story shows us how Jonathan tried to make peace between his father and his friend:

1 Samuel 19:1-7: Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.” Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.” So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.

This story shows us several important qualities that we should look for in our friendships. Jonathan was willing to be a peacemaker, even when it put him in a difficult position between his father and his friend. He spoke truthfully about David’s character and reminded his father of how God had used David to bless Israel.

Good friends are willing to stand up for us when we’re not there to defend ourselves. They speak well of us to others and try to resolve conflicts rather than create them.

➤ Jonathan’s Divided Loyalties

The third story is the longest and most complex. It shows us how Jonathan handled the terrible situation of being caught between his loyalty to his father and his commitment to his friend:

1 Samuel 20:1-4: Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” “Never!” Jonathan replied. “You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It’s not so!” But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.”

From this difficult situation, we learn several important lessons about how to maintain friendships even when circumstances become complicated.

First, Jonathan and David communicated openly with each other. They spoke honestly about their fears and concerns rather than keeping their worries to themselves. True friends should be able to share their hearts without fear of judgment.

Second, they worked together to find a solution. David suggested a plan to test Saul’s intentions, and Jonathan helped develop it further. Good friends don’t just listen to each other’s problems—they work together to find answers.

Third, they made a covenant that would bind them together no matter what happened. Their friendship was based on more than feelings—it was a commitment that would last through good times and bad.

1 Samuel 20:16-17: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

(Notebook Moment: Think about your closest friendships. Are they based primarily on convenience and shared activities, or are they rooted in deeper commitments and shared values? What would it mean for you to make a “covenant” of faithful friendship with someone?)

The plan revealed Saul’s true intentions, and the two friends had to say a painful goodbye:

1 Samuel 20:41-42: After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'”

Why did David weep more than Jonathan? Because he understood the great sacrifice his friend was making. Jonathan was giving up his rightful place as king and choosing to support David instead. This is what true friendship sometimes requires—putting our friend’s needs ahead of our own interests.

➤ Jonathan the Encourager

The fourth story shows us perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Jonathan’s friendship. When David was hiding from Saul and feeling discouraged, Jonathan made a special trip to encourage his friend:

1 Samuel 23:16-18: And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

Notice that Jonathan didn’t just offer human comfort—he helped David find his strength in God. He reminded David of God’s promises and encouraged him to keep trusting in the Lord’s plan. This is one of the most valuable things we can do for our friends when they’re struggling.

Jonathan even spoke prophetically about David’s future as king, showing that he fully accepted God’s plan even though it meant he would never rule Israel himself. (Notebook Moment: How can you follow Jonathan’s example by pointing your friends toward God when they’re discouraged, rather than just offering sympathy or human solutions?)

Conclusion

The friendship between Jonathan and David teaches us that God never intended for us to walk through life alone. Even Jesus, the Son of God, chose to surround Himself with close friends who supported and encouraged Him. He had an inner circle of three disciples—Peter, James, and John—who were especially dear to Him and who shared His most important moments.

The apostle Paul also understood the value of faithful friends. Throughout his letters, we see his deep affection for his companions in ministry. He wrote about Timothy as his beloved son, praised Epaphroditus for risking his life in service, and expressed his longing to see friends like Philemon and Onesimus. Paul knew that God works through relationships, and he wasn’t afraid to show how much his friends meant to him.

This pattern continues throughout Scripture because God has designed us to need each other. We are not meant to face life’s challenges alone, and we’re not supposed to grow in our faith without the support of other believers.

What should we look for in godly friendships? Jonathan’s example shows us several important qualities. A faithful friend will stand by us in difficult times, speak the truth to us even when it’s hard to hear, and point us toward God when we’re struggling. They will be willing to make sacrifices for our good, and they will celebrate God’s blessings in our lives even when those blessings don’t come to them.

But friendship is not just about what we receive—it’s also about what we give. We should strive to be the kind of friend to others that Jonathan was to David. This means being loyal, encouraging, honest, and selfless. It means choosing to support our friends even when it costs us something.

Most importantly, Jonathan’s life reminds us that God uses relationships to accomplish His purposes in our lives. He doesn’t call us to serve Him in isolation. Instead, He provides us with brothers and sisters in Christ who can strengthen our hands in the Lord, just as Jonathan strengthened David’s hand in God.

Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 27:6: Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Ask God to give you faithful friends who will help you grow in your relationship with Him. And ask Him to make you the kind of friend who strengthens others in their walk with the Lord. Remember that in God’s plan, we need each other, and He often works through the friendships He provides to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

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