When our Talmudic Sages wished to cite an example of the ideal friendship - one that is not motivated by any ulterior motive - they mentioned the relationship between David and Yonatan. Yonatan, who was in line to inherit the throne from his father King Saul, was aware that by protecting David from his fathers wrath he was forfeiting his inheritance by championing David as his fathers successor. He nevertheless risked his life and sacrificed his future to assist David.

In his eulogy on Yonatan who was slain in a battle with the Philistines, David bemoaned the passing of "my brother.. whose love to me was more wonderful than the love for women."