A Friend that Sticketh Closer - Amy Sapp
I read that women speak about 20,000 words a day and men speak around 7,000. (No wonder our husbands are tired when we ask, ‘How was your day?’ They have used up their quota by lunch!)”
But have you ever noticed.. even though we talk so much, sometimes we still feel lonely? Friendship is one of God’s sweetest gifts. And today, we get to peek into one of the most beautiful friendships in the Bible... David & Jonathan.
1 Samuel 18:1–4
1 Samuel 19:1–7
1 Samuel 20:17
True friendship is rare, valuable, and powerful and it reflects the heart of Christ.
1. A FRIENDSHIP FORMED BY GOD
1 Samuel 18:1 “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” AKA ~ Kindred Spirits
Friendship wasn’t forced — it was God-knit.
Jonathan was the crown prince, David a shepherd boy, and God crossed their paths.
Sometimes God brings people into our lives for divine purposes, to encourage, sharpen, or walk with us through a season.
Don’t underestimate who God might knit your heart to, sometimes it’s not the person you’d expect.
Friendships require openness — we can’t be “too busy” for them.
We say, ‘We should grab coffee sometime!’ — but then we blink and three years pass and we’re texting ‘Happy Birthday!’ to a woman whose kid we still picture in diapers… and he’s now in college!
2. A FRIENDSHIP THAT COST SOMETHING
1 Samuel 18:4 — Jonathan gives David his robe, sword, and bow.
Jonathan essentially gives David his right to the throne, his royal garments!
True friendship sometimes means sacrifice — giving up position, pride, or preference for the good of your friend.
Sometimes friendship costs us time, energy, late-night phone calls, or showing up with COMFORT FOOD when we’d rather be in PJ's.
And let’s be honest, a true friend is one who will come over in her PJ's and eat the food WITH you while you cry!
Ask yourself... Am I willing to give of myself... even when it’s inconvenient.. to love my friends well?
3. A FRIENDSHIP THAT STOOD THE TEST
1 Samuel 19–20
Jonathan risks his life to warn David of Saul’s plan.
Their friendship endured jealousy, danger, distance, and heartache.
True friends don’t run when things get messy.
Jonathan could have been jealous but he decided to cheer David on.
You know it’s a good friend when she cheers for you even when you show up with the ‘better’ dessert at the church fellowship!
Do we cheer when our friends succeed — or do we secretly compare?
Do we show up when it’s hard — or only when it’s fun?
4. A FRIENDSHIP THAT POINTED TO JESUS
Jonathan laid down his royal robe, a picture of Christ laying aside His glory for us.
David wept bitterly when Jonathan died, a reminder of how deeply Christ cares for us as His friends.
John 15:13
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Christ is the ultimate “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Our human friendships will never be perfect, but they can reflect His love.
Find a Jonathan — let God knit your heart to someone.
Be a Jonathan — sacrifice, encourage, and stand by your friends.
Point to Jesus — let your friendships glorify Him.
Ladies, God may not have called us to exchange royal robes… but we can share prayer requests, coffee dates, and maybe our favorite chocolate stash.
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Thank the Lord for the gift of friendship and ask Him to help you be a friend that reflects Christ.
What kind of friend are YOU?
What kind of friends have you surrounded yourself with?