A Rare Find...

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
(2 Samuel 1:26 ESV)
In the first half of his two-volume set, the historian used numerous descriptions of the close relationship to describe the unique bond between David and Jonathan.  Their hearts were knit to one another. They understood one another's vision for life and values.  When no one else could find David in hiding, Jonathan knew him well enough that he could.  There was absolutely no sexual reference here in their relationship, and that is what made it so intense. Their bond did not need that to help keep their relationship in tact.  David had several wives, some who loved him deeply, yet his bond to Jonathan was even stronger. Now Jonathan was dead.  Irreplaceable.  He was a rare find.  The question for us is not so much whether we have such a friend, as it is whether we are willing to be that kind of friend.  Sometimes it can be even more than one - a band of brothers, one of which may be more pronounced.  But are we so true to the Lord, so true to ourselves, and so true to our convictions and commitments, that someone, anyone, could say of us what David said of Jonathan.