And yet, in spite of all these factors, Jonathan's friendship with David endured and became even stronger. This was true friendship indeed. Helpful definitions of friendship are found in the Bible. The rabbis wax eloquent on the subject of friendship. While the advantages of friendship are obvious, there are also pitfalls to be avoided.
Undesirable friendships can be harmful.
Modern parents well understand the dangers when misguided friends influence their children to take drugs, to engage in crime, or to leave home and family for various cults. Unfortunately, friendship is not always an unmitigated blessing. Just as there is human friendship, so too can there be friendship between G-d and man. The author sees G-d as the cause of bliss and happiness, the single highest good of all human striving. We should undoubtedly consider privileged those who are able to attain the high spiritual stature of regarding G-d as their friend.