2 Samuel 13:3, "But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man."

Friendship can be a source of great blessing or a great curse. Psalm 1:1 speaks about associations to avoid, for it states, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Amnon had a friend (who is also his cousin), Jonadab, who was described as "a very subtle man".  In the context of this passage you learn that he was a schemer, he was crafty, he was shrewd. Gill describes him in his commentary as, "a very penetrating man into the dispositions of men, and could judge by their countenances what they were, and the affections of their minds, and had a talent in forming schemes; he was wise to do evil and was wickedly cunning."

It is sad when one chooses to develop friendships with those who will not build them up in their Christian faith. What kind of people have you surrounded yourself with? Are they individuals who love the Lord? Are they people who encourage you to live righteously and godly? Or have you chosen to surround yourself with people of the world, or with other believers who consistently murmur and complain, or who fail to live righteously before the Lord?

Amnon's scheming friend concocted a plan by which he could rape his sister Tamar. Who would want to have such a friend as this!

Choose your friends wisely, for they will either be a blessing or a curse to you. Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Who is your best friend and how does he or she influence you?

2.  Do your choose your friends wisely or without much discretion?

3.  How are you influencing others with whom you are friends?

4.  Do you maintain a good Christian testimony every day?  How is that displayed?