Friend

Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army. [1 Chronicles 27.32-34]

The list of people here is no small deal. To have been named in this list would have placed great significance on the person named. Actually this list started in verse 25 of 1 Chronicles 27 and included all the important roles in David's kingdom.

What stands out to me today is that Hushai the Arkite was included in this who's who of David's officials. Hushai was noted as an important official in David's kingdom because he was the king's friend.

Hushai, for just being the king's friend, was included with every critical role in the administration of David's kingdom.

What ever could this mean?

Perhaps there is simply not enough room or time to explore all the implications of being named "friend" but suffice it to say that in David's eyes, friendship mattered.

Where else does friendship matter?

And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. [James 2.23]

Abraham was called "friend of God" because of his faith. The exciting thing about this is that every man has been given the measure of faith:

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. [Romans 12.3]

So, if I have been given the same measure of faith as Abraham (or anyone else for that matter), then I have all the same potential to be a "friend of God" as did Abraham!

Pause and think about that for a moment... There are no particular skills attributed to Hushai the Arkite in David's kingdom. He was simply David's loyal friend (study Hushai's loyalty to David when Absalom named himself king). I believe it is safe to conclude then that to be considered important in God's Kingdom requires no extraordinary skills if one is "God's friend."

Father, I want to be noted as a "friend of God."