The Brinkley argus., 1915-05-07
LESSON FOR MAY g
FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JON.
 ATTAIN.

LESSON TEXT-I Samuel 20:32-2
 GOLDEN TEXT-A friend loveth at all times.-Prov. 17:H.
 There is perhaps no narrative In all history or literature which so perfect ly illustrates the conditions or 1rleno- ship as this which is before us. Jon athan was every inch man; affection ate. sweet and tender, deeply pious and withal loyal to both duty and friends. His rights, as the kings son, he gladly set aside for David, whom he loved as his own' soul" (ch. 1S:3; 20:1T. Jonathan is great type Of the surrendered life (ch. 23:1D.
 l. David's Danger, w. 32-35. Three times in the previous chapter (vv Q, IA. 30) we read that David behaved himself wisely" Saul eyed David" (v. 19) and his jealous anger grew as he gave vent to his hate. Jonathan's desires for David drew the anger of Saul (20: 30), but it only put him more upon his guard and made him more de- termined, if possible, to save both David and Saul.
 Following David's escape 08:1S) he consulted Jonathan regarding his safety (20.1-10). They renewed their covenant and swore fealty to each other and to those of. their house. holds (vv. HID. It is standing re- buke that Christians treat so lightly their covenants with the church and with the world David was safe at Naioth (19:1S-24, for each company sent after him, and Saul himself, were hindered by the Spirit of Jehavah from carrying out Saups foul designs. This seemed for the moment to humble Saul (20:1; Ps. 97:D. Jonathan, though great and mighty, was not strong enough to deliver his friend from the renewed wrath of his father. "Vain is the help of man." Our help is in the Lord" Jonathan showed his true friendship in that he told the ex- act state of affairs to David (v. 1O. When Saul became convinced that Jonathan was taking David's part, he tried to kill Jonathan and reviled the mother who bore him (v. 30). In his loss of self-control Saul allowed David to escape. Even so, sin overshoots its mark. The contrast is dark one to contemplate.
 H.. David Delivered, w. 35-42. Jon athan did not revile again (v. S4) when insulted and assailed by his father, and his manifestation of just anger
 (for his mother was reviled) was quite different from that of his father Any attempt to reconcile Saul to Da- yid fv. 34) was a useless exposure to danger and for Jonathan to be seen with his friend would inperil his own life. This explains the expedient of shooting arrows in the field. Jonathan shot his arrows beyond" i. e., David must go beyond" and out of the reach of Saul David trusted Jonathan's fidel- ity (v. 23) when the test came though Jonathan might have good reason for playing him false in order to promote his own interests.
 Dismissing the boy, Jonathan drew near to David's hiding place, to the south of the stone Ezel (v. Al R. V), where most touching parting took place between these two friends. First of all David bowed tremendously three times, touching his head to the ground, perhaps to show his unshaken loyalty to Jonathan as the kings son. This was but for moment; as men of Eu nd ri hn1 ucl, ,c,d n each others arms and wept for long time. These were the manly tears of two brave men not afraid to show their love and emotions. 1t has been suggested that Jonathan should have accompanied David as Gods elect bade him to remain by the side of his sin-stricken father.
 The Lessons of the Lesson. True friendship costs. Gods love gave to the world his Son. Jonathan's friend ship for David was costly, but was given gladly, not grudgingly. True friendship neither forgets duty nor neglects it's desire towards the object of it's love. It is not governed emotion ally, yet it disregards all other ties, if they are wrong Not even father or mother should lead us to wrong a friend. When David came into power
 he remembered the everlasting cove nant made with Jonathan QI Sam. 9:3). Our "Son of David" has made a similar covenant with us (Acts 16: 31;
 2:39). True friendship is of slow growth, but is not easily killed, chilled by reverses, nor frozen by ad- versity (Prov. 18:24). True friendship is unseIfish. It gives and does not seek
 True friendship Is founded upon re- ligion and the best friend, the ideal friend is Jesus Christ.
 That friendship which is based upon oaths, ritual and dues, is not abiding, nor true friendship, for it excludes all who fail to possess the same pass , word or sufficient amount of money. That friendship which is based upon expediency, or quid pro quo, is by no means true friendship; it is as ephemeral as the morning mist and as frail as chain of sand
 The friendship which has as its com mon center Gods best boon, the friend ship of his Son, will, if it is true and l.. l