1 Samuel 18:1–9

Now when 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. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 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.

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

This passage feels like David is on the brink of becoming king. He’s not, but everything seems to be converging on that destiny. Presumably, only Jesse and his household know about David’s anointing—blabbing that would have obvious risks—yet lots of folks act like they know.

Specifically, Jonathan’s actions are tantamount to him renouncing his claim as heir to the throne and transferring it to David. Is it possible that David told him about the anointing?

That seems likely. They were “soul friends.” While the description of the bond between David and Jonathan is brief here, it’s strong and clear. They have the level of friendship in which secrets are shared. David could trust Jonathan to not tell anyone, especially his dad. Thus, David telling Jonathan about his anointing would make sense.

David not telling him would be odd.

Everyone needs friends like this, but few people have even one. You know a friendship is this deep when you have conversations where someone gets called out. It doesn’t have to be an intervention about a major failing; any significant constructive criticism will do. Real friends have impact.

But many friendships don’t share enough information to allow even minor criticism. That’s how you can know that a friendship isn’t deep—sensitive information is being withheld.

Still, as important as deep friendship is, you can’t rush it. Trusting someone who is untrustworthy is far worse than not having a soul friend.

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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday ones are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to the DEEP click here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.