Love as Chesed, Not Romance

J. C. Ryle captured the significance of friendship well: “This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys.” This remarkable narrative captures the radical nature of God-given friendship highlighted in the friendship between David and Jonathan.