• Love Those Whom God Loves
    “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”

    • LEARNING FROM A BIBLE EXAMPLE

      8. What impresses you about the relationship between (a) Naomi and Ruth? (b) the three young Hebrews? (c) Paul and Timothy?

      8 The Scriptures contain many examples of those who benefited as a result of choosing wholesome associates. You can read about the relationship between Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, between the three young Hebrews who stuck together in Babylon, and between Paul and Timothy. (Ruth 1:16; Daniel 3:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:20-22) Let us, though, focus on another outstanding example: the friendship between David and Jonathan.

      9, 10. What was the basis of the friendship between David and Jonathan?

      9 The Bible says that after David slew Goliath, “Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship, and Jonathan began to love him as himself.” (1 Samuel 18:1) Thus began an unbreakable friendship that despite a significant age difference, persisted until Jonathan’s death on the battlefield.c (2 Samuel 1:26) What was the basis of the strong bond forged between these two friends?

      10 David and Jonathan were bound together by their love for God and their strong desire to remain faithful to him. These two men shared a spiritual bond. Each displayed qualities that endeared him to the other. Jonathan no doubt was impressed with the courage and zeal of the young man who fearlessly defended Jehovah’s name. David undoubtedly respected the older man who loyally supported Jehovah’s arrangements and unselfishly put David’s interests ahead of his own. Consider, for example, what happened when David was at a low point in his life, living as a fugitive in the wilderness to escape the wrath of wicked King Saul, Jonathan’s father. In a remarkable demonstration of loyalty, Jonathan took the initiative and “went out to David . . . , and he helped him find strength in Jehovah.” (1 Samuel 23:16) Imagine how David must have felt when his dear friend came and offered him support and encouragement!d

      11. What do you learn about friendship from the example of Jonathan and David?

      11 What do we learn from the example of Jonathan and David? Above all, we see that the most important thing for friends to have in common is spiritual values. When we draw close to those who share our beliefs, our moral values, and our desire to remain faithful to God, there can be an interchange of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that encourage and upbuild us. (Read Romans 1:11, 12.) We find such spiritually-minded associates among fellow worshippers. Does this mean, though, that everyone who comes to meetings at the Kingdom Hall is a good associate? No, not necessarily.

  • Love Those Whom God Loves
    “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”

    • c David was a youth​—“but a boy”—​when he felled Goliath and was about 30 at the time of Jonathan’s death. (1 Samuel 17:33; 31:2; 2 Samuel 5:4) Jonathan, who was about 60 when he died, was evidently some 30 years older than David.

      d As recorded at 1 Samuel 23:17, Jonathan said five things to encourage David: (1) He urged David not to be afraid. (2) He assured David that Saul’s efforts would fail. (3) He reminded David that he would receive the kingship, as God had promised. (4) He pledged his loyalty to David. (5) He told David that even Saul was aware of Jonathan’s loyalty to David.