1 Samuel 23:16-18

16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18 And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

King Saul was pursuing David hard and trying his best to kill him. David had been on the run for some time and was no doubt becoming weary. Jonathan was Saul’s son and heir apparent to the throne, yet he was also David’s best friend. At the risk of his own life, Jonathan went to David in the wilderness “and strengthened his hand in the Lord. He encouraged him that God’s promise would not fail, and David would be king of Israel, and he would be there to support him.

Bible scholars say that David was a picture of Christ, or he could be “likened” to Christ. If so, Jonathan could be likened to the Apostle John. John was always present at the most significant moments in Jesus’ earthly ministry. He was at the first miracle of turning water into wine, he was at the raising of Jairus’ daughter, he was present at the transfiguration, and he was the only Disciple present at the crucifixion. At the crucifixion Jesus passed responsibility on to John to care for his mother Mary.

Jonathan was there for David and strengthened his hand in the Lord, John was there for Jesus and assumed the role of caretaker of His mother. Both Jonathan and John were truly close friends with David and Jesus, and if you have a friend like that you are truly blessed.

I’m here to tell you, you do have a friend like that in Jesus Christ. “6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).” “… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20b).” Jesus has promised you that He will never leave you, He will always be by your side, so you do have that “close” friend that you can always count on to be there for you in times of trouble. As the song says, “Oh what a friend we have in Jesus…”