Where do you turn when life tumbles in on you? Sometimes we turn to our friends. These are people who love us and are willing to help us. Sometimes they are able to give us great comfort. At other times, however, the advice they give is not what we need.

Two examples of this are Jonathan and Jonadab. Jonathan was David’s friend. He was the son of king Saul and should have been the next king of Israel. But because of Saul’s disobedience (I Sam. 15), God rejected him as king and David was chosen.

After David had met Goliath’s challenge and defeated him, I Sam. 18:1 tells us, "Now after he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as he loved himself" (NASB). What a wonderful friendship ensued.

Later, when Saul was trying to kill David, it was Jonathan who stood up for him (I Sam. 20). Jonathan devised a plan that would ensure David’s safety in this text. And in verse 17 it tells us, "and Jonathan made a vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life" (NASB). Jonathan was David’s protector when life tumbled in.

Jonadab was the friend of Amnon, David’s son. Amnon lusted for Tamar, his half sister. Jonadab came up with a devious plan to get Tamar to Amnon’s house. When all the servants were asked to leave, Amnon raped her. After he raped her he told her to leave. He thought he had a great love for her only to find out he despised her being around him. Would you say that was good advice?

So, who do you go to when life tumbles in? Do you go to a trusted friend? Keep in mind that not all friends are like Jonathan. Some may tell you what you want to hear like Jonadab did. In the end it brought about horrible results.