Proverbs 18:24b says, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” These words were penned by Solomon, son of king David. It’s likely that Solomon grew up hearing stories of the great friendship between his father and Jonathan, son of the man who preceded David on the throne of Israel, Saul.
David and Jonathan became friends when David was a young boy. After David fought and killed the Philistine giant Goliath, King Saul brought David into his home. In 1 Samuel 18:1 we read, “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” Early in the narrative of David’s life we read of his friendship with Jonathan being formed, and the following 13 chapters of 1 Samuel contain many instances of Jonathan sticking closer than a brother to David.
Because of David’s military success and how the Israelites loved him and praised him for it, Saul became very jealous of David and attempted to kill him. Twice Jonathan spoke to his father on David’s behalf (1 Samuel 19:4–6; 20:32) and he warned David to escape from his father (1 Samuel 20:35–42).
1 Samuel 20:14–17 says, “‘If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.’ And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies.’ And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”
Before Jonathan and David parted ways, “Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’ And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city” (1 Samuel 20:42).
1 Samuel closes with the death of both Saul and Jonathan, and 2 Samuel opens with David mourning their deaths. Over the next several chapters we follow the trajectory of David’s life as he becomes king of Judah, is victorious in battle, and then becomes king of Israel. 2 Samuel 9:1 says, “And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” David remembered his covenant with Jonathan and wanted to show his steadfast love to his house. David discovered Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, who had been crippled from a young age. As family of the previous king, Mephibosheth should have been killed. Instead, David invited him to his house and “Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons” (2 Samuel 9:11b) and he continued to eat at David’s table.
For the sake of his friendship with Jonathan, David brought his son Mephibosheth into his household, even though he had every reason not to. Perhaps this is the example of a friend sticking closer than a brother that Solomon wrote about.
David’s treatment of Mephibosheth is a beautiful picture of God’s treatment of us. Just like Mephibosheth, we were crippled and broken and could do nothing to earn a place at the King’s table. Not only could we never earn it — but we didn’t even deserve it. We were sinners (1 Corinthians 6:11) who deserved death (Romans 6:23). And yet, in His loving kindness, God sent Jesus while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) to invite us to His table. Jesus was the ultimate Friend, the only One who could truly “lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13).
We are commanded to love others as He loved us (John 15:12). How we love one another as friends is a reflection of that love. A few chapters earlier in John, Jesus told His disciples, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Our love for one another, how we stick closer than a brother, demonstrates the Gospel and points people to Jesus.
Do you have friends in your life who stick closer than a brother? I have had the privilege of walking with a group of friends for more than half of my life. The five of us girls have marked life’s milestones together. We have laughed, cried, celebrated, lamented, mourned, and rejoiced together for more than twenty years. I can’t help but think this is the picture of sticking closer than a brother, and I praise God for this sweet picture of the Gospel He has given me.
Written by: Randi Walle, Communications Director
Based on: 1 Samuel 18:1
Passion Week Devotional 2025: Day Four