A Friend Indeed - Ahimelech

David asked Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword? The king’s business was so urgent that I didn’t even have time to grab a weapon!” “I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah,” the priest replied. “It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here.”

1 Samuel 21:8-9

Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League baseball, often endured brutal insults and racial slurs at every stadium he played in, even at his home field in Brooklyn. In one memorable game, Robinson, who played second base, committed an error, which gave Dodger fans all the ammunition they needed to ridicule him.

As Robinson stood in the infield, hearing words of hatred shouted from the stands, his close friend and teammate shortstop Pee Wee Reese made what was then an amazing gesture of friendship and loyalty. Reese walked over to Robinson, put his arm around his shoulder, and faced the crowd, which immediately grew quiet. Robinson later said that Reese’s act of friendship had saved his career.

A true friend gives of himself, and even sacrifices himself, for the good of another when he is in need. Ahimelech, the chief priest in Nob, was this kind of friend to David.

When David arrived in Nob, he was a fugitive on the run from an angry and jealous King Saul. Ahimelech met David’s immediate needs with food for him and his men and a weapon for battle. Ahimelech didn’t know that Saul wanted to kill David. He only knew that his friend was in need of help.

His act of kindness and friendship came at a heavy price.

When Saul received word that Ahimelech had assisted David, he summoned the high priest into his presence, accused him of treason, and ordered his execution. Then he ordered the execution of Ahimelech’s fellow priests and their families (see 1 Samuel 22:9-19).

Being a true friend in another’s hour of need often means making personal sacrifices. Do you have that kind of friend? Are you that kind of friend?