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Like Jonathan, and like David

I am struck when I find a like-minded friend, one who shares my outlook on life and willingly listens to my pains with compassion and understanding. A great number of people have episodes they would rather not broadcast, still they long for an intimate listener, a close friend.

I think that during my life, only two or three men are my like-minded friends. Most of us have many acquaintances, but few close-to-the-heart friends. Proverbs 27 says that a nearby friend is better than a far-away brother. Interestingly, it takes trials and adversity to give reason for wanting such a friend. 

I am reading the story of David as found in 1 Samuel. David was quite comfortable in the role of runt of the family. Relegated to tending sheep, he killed lions and bears that attacked his herd. He knew what it was like to shepherd before being anointed by Samuel as the next King of Israel. He was unaware he would soon need a close, like-minded friend.

In 1 Samuel, this friend came on the scene before David was anointed King. Saul was battling the Philistines, and one of his commanders was his son Jonathan. Then-current wisdom said that you would engage the whole army to defeat the enemy. Jonathan asked his armor bearer whether he felt God could win a battle with just two people. Without Saul's knowledge, Jonathan and his armor bearer, with God's direction, destroyed an outpost of twenty Philistines. This unexpected action incited widespread panic: The Philistines were randomly killing each other. Saul and the rest of his army saw the action and joined in routing many more Philistines.

Months later, after the Philistines had regrouped, the seven-foot-tall Goliath taunted and frightened Israel for forty days. David, now Saul's soothing harpist, observed and asked why a Philistine should daily insult God's people. Still a youth, he volunteered to fight Goliath. Trusting God and using a sling, his weapon of choice, David slew Goliath with one perfectly aimed smooth stone.  

After David moved into Saul's household, Jonathan became better acquainted with him. During the Goliath incident, Jonathan recognized in David a like-minded spirit, one quick to assess the situation, trusting God for guidance. And, over the next twenty years, David, in fear for his life, leaned on Jonathan because of their close love for one another. The ultimate picture is that God directs the affairs of men and women, using people who trust Him. 

People like Jonathan, and like David, and you and me.

-gary kallio