Friends

 November 28, 2020

A curious phrase is found in the list of Solomon’s advisors as recorded in 1 Kings 4. Picking up in the middle of the list, we read, ““Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, over the army; Zadok and Abiathar, the priests; Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king’s friend;”

All these were important and powerful people in Solomon’s administration; people who had proven themselves capable and trustworthy, but one stands out; Zabud was not only a priest, but also the king’s friend. Heads of state live in a different world than most of us. Like many wealthy or famous people, they can never be sure if those who sidle up to them are genuinely interested in them, or whether they’re interested in what they can get from them. Genuine friendships are hard enough to come by for ordinary folks; for celebrities, it’s almost impossible. 

What an honor and responsibility to be a friend of a king; to be the one in whom the most powerful man in the world turns to when sorrowful or worn out with the duties of the realm! The others had power and prestige, along with the financial rewards that come with the job, but Zabud was the king’s friend.

A good friend is available when the crisis hits, is ready to listen to a broken heart or hopes and  dreams, is not afraid to confront and challenge, will speak truth, and will spend time with you just for the sake of the friendship. A good friend knows when to be silent, and when to stand up. A good friend holds the same values and shares the same perspective. Zabud was the king’s friend.

All of which makes me wonder. Jesus said he no longer calls us servants, but friends, adding, “for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known to you.” There you have it: intimacy—Jesus is willing to reveal his innermost thoughts and feelings to us. Earlier, he states the foundation of this friendship: he is willing to lay down his life for his friends, and we are his friends if we do whatever he commands us (John 15:13-15). The question is, how much do I value his friendship? Do I value the price he willingly paid for my sins? How am I doing at obeying his commands? Do I follow him only when convenient? Am I available to him, eager to simply spend time with him? Do I love the people he loves, treasure what he values? Or am I like so many who simply get close for what they can get out of the king?

Zabud was the king’s friend. What about me? What about you?