Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Sheridan Voizzi, and I've called our reading today, Deep Friendship in Christ.

There's a monument in the chapel of Christ's College, Cambridge, England, dedicated to two 17th century physicians, John Finch and Thomas

Baines. Known as the inseparable friends, Finch and Baines collaborated on medical research

and travelled together on diplomatic trips. When Baines died in 1680, Finch lamented their

unbroken marriage of souls that had lasted 36 years.

Theirs had been a friendship of affection, loyalty, and commitment.

King David and Jonathan had a friendship equally as close.

They shared deep mutual affection and even made vows of commitment to each other.

Their friendship was marked by radical loyalty. Jonathan

even sacrificing his right to the throne so David could become king. When Jonathan

died, David lamented that Jonathan's love to him had been more wonderful than that of women.

We may feel uncomfortable today likening friendship to marriage, but maybe friendships like Finch and Baines and David and Jonathan's

can help our own friendships reach greater depth.

Jesus welcomed his friends to lean against him,

and the affection, loyalty and commitment he shows us

can be the basis of the deep friendships we build together.

Music shows us can be the basis of the deep friendships we build together. Today's scripture reading is from 2 Samuel chapter 1 verses 23 to 27.

Saul and Jonathan, in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted. They were

swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions. Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. How

the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you,

...