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The Wardrobe of a True Friend

By June Smith

“And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt “  (I Samuel 18: 4)

To understand this scripture, it is good to review the events leading up to this time. David, a shepherd boy, who had gained acceptance with King Saul by killing the Philistine giant Goliath, had been brought to Saul's palace. David was not allowed to return to his duties as a shepherd boy. Instead, he began to serve King Saul. (1 Samuel 18:2, 5) Apparently, as David served in the king’s quarters, he also met the king’s son, Jonathan, and a close friendship developed.

The scriptures says, “It came about when he (David) had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.” (I Samuel 18:1)

Jonathan found a kinship with David. He cared about David with his whole heart. Close friendships do not come along very often in life. Sometimes a set of circumstances in our life will produce situations that cause bonds to be formed that are extremely strong. We see an example of such a bond as we begin to read about David with his very life in danger.

In truly close friendships, friends are willing to make sacrifices for one another and Jonathan was no exception. The scriptures say, “And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.”  (I Samuel 18:4)

Remember that David was a shepherd boy, which means he probably was brought to the palace in shepherd's attire. His friend Jonathan was the son of a king and probably had many changes of nice clothing. It was indeed a generous gesture for Jonathan to give his friend something that he owned. If you care about someone with your whole heart, it is not hard to make sacrifices for him or her. Whether the sacrifice be of things, time, or anything else, the gift of sacrifice is easy when you really care for someone. Close friends do not have to beg one another for favors. They are done selflessly out of the goodness of the heart.

When we stop to ask ourselves: "Who is our best friend?” Who has willingly made a tremendous selfless sacrifice for us? Who loves us whole-heartedly?" Remember that Jesus was beaten with whips that possibly had pieces of bone and metal embedded in the cords of the whip. He was blindfolded and struck while those that beat him called out in mockery “Tell us who hit you?" Jesus was unjustly accused and condemned when he had done no wrong. He had to carry a heavy cross through the city of Jerusalem while people cried out “Crucify him, crucify him. “ His body was aching from the brutal beating that the Roman soldiers inflicted upon him as he trudged to the hill of Calvary. Jesus had His raw back thrust on a rough wooden cross and He had His hands and feet nailed to that cross. Over His head, a sign was posted mocking Him and saying that He was the king of the Jews. Jesus was lifted between heaven and earth where men spat upon Him and hurled insults at Him. He was told to come down from the cross if he was truly the Son of God. He suffered hours of pain and humiliation as He hung on that cross. He had reason to be angry, hurt, disappointed, and indignant, but do you know what he said in the midst of all of this unjust treatment? "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34)

We can quickly come to the conclusion that none has made a greater sacrifice for His friends than Jesus. He died a cruel death in our place because he loved us so. As the scripture says in John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Can there be a truer friend than Jesus?

Questions

1. What circumstances lead up to David’s arrival in the palace?

2. Who was Jonathan?

3. What characteristics of David do you think that Jonathan viewed as good qualities in a friend?

4. Name a characteristic of Jonathan that showed that he was a good friend.

5. What are some other characteristics of a good friend?

6. Who has been the most sacrificial friend of all?

7. Why did Jesus have to die such a cruel death?

8. What attitude did Jesus have toward those who had been so cruel to him?

9. Memorize John 15:13

10. What kind of friend are you?