1 Samuel 18:1

Contextual Overview

¹After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.¹ After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. ¹Now it happened when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ¹ Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.¹ And whe he had made an end of speaking vnto Saul, the soule of Ionathan was knit with the soule of Dauid, and Ionathan loued him as his owne soule. ¹Saul decided to take David with him. He would not let David go back home to his father. After David finished talking with Saul, Jonathan developed a strong friendship with David. ¹ And it happened, when he finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David; and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ¹ When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ¹ It happened, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ¹ And it came to passe when hee made an ende of speaking vnto Saul, that the soule of Ionathan was knit with the soule of Dauid, and Ionathan loued him as his owne soule.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the soul of Jonathan: The modesty, piety, and courage of David were so congenial to the character of the amiable Jonathan, that they attracted his most cordial esteem and affection; so that the most intimate friendship subsisted between them from that time, and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. Their friendship could not be affected by the common vicissitudes of life; and it exemplifies by fact what the ancients have written on the subject.

חם ציכיבם יףןפחפב ויםבי, ךבי ליבם רץקחם פןם ציכןם ופוסןם בץפןם. "Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul. A friend is another self." 1 Samuel 14:1-14, 1 Samuel 14:45, Genesis 44:30, Judges 20:11, 1 Chronicles 12:17, Psalms 86:11, Colossians 2:2

loved him: 1 Samuel 18:3, 1 Samuel 19:2, 1 Samuel 20:17, Deuteronomy 13:6, 2 Samuel 1:26, Proverbs 18:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:3 - soul Joshua 23:12 - cleave 1 Samuel 17:31 - sent for him 1 Samuel 31:2 - Jonathan 2 Samuel 1:23 - pleasant 2 Samuel 9:1 - show him Psalms 132:1 - all his afflictions Matthew 19:5 - cleave Philippians 2:20 - likeminded Titus 1:8 - a lover of good

Cross-References

Genesis 12:7
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD , who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the Lord , who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7
Then Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, "To your seed I will give this land." So he built an altar there to Yahweh who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7
And the Lorde appearyng vnto Abram, sayd, Unto thy seede wyl I geue this lande: And there buylded he an aulter vnto the Lorde whiche appeared vnto hym.

Genesis 12:7
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your descendants." Abram built an altar to honor the Lord who appeared to him there.

Genesis 12:7
Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7
Sotheli the Lord apperide to Abram, and seide to hym, Y schal yyue this lond to thi seed. And Abram bildide there an auter to the Lord, that apperide to hym.

Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared vnto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed wil I giue this land: and there builded hee an altar vnto the LORD, who appeared vnto him.

Genesis 12:7
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord , who appeared unto him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,.... In answer to his questions about his descent and family, and doubtless more things were talked of than are recorded:

that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David: he won his heart, made a conquest of his affections, these went out towards him, and cleaved unto him; such were the comeliness of his person, his graceful mien and deportment, his freedom and fluency of expression, his courage and undauntedness, joined with prudence, modesty, and integrity, that they strongly attached him to him:

and Jonathan loved him as his own soul; not only according to the excellency of David's soul, and the greatness of it, as that deserved respect and love, as Abarbinel suggests, but he loved him as he loved himself. There was a similarity in their persons, in their age, in the dispositions of their minds, in their wisdom, courage, modesty, faithfulness, and openness of soul, that attracted them to each other, that they became as another self; as one soul, as Aristotle speaks r of true friends: instances of very cordial friendship are given by Plutarch s, as in Theseus and Pirithous, Achilles and Patroclus, Orestes and Pylades, Pythias and Damon, Epaminondas and Pelopidas; but none equal to this.

r Ethic. l. 9. c. 4, 9. So Porphyr. de Vita Pythagor. s Apud Patrick in loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Was knit with the soul of David - The same forcible phrase occurs of Jacob’s love for Benjamin (marginal reference). Jonathan’s truly heroic character is shown in this generous love of David, and admiration of his great deed.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XVIII

Jonathan and David commence a lasting friendship; and David

acts prudently with respect to Saul, 1-5

Saul becomes jealous of David, on account of the esteem in

which he is held in Israel; and, in his fury endeavours to

destroy him, 6-12.

David is made captain over a thousand; and the people love and

respect him, 13-16.

Saul, in order to ensnare him, offers him his daughter in

marriage, 17-24;

and requires a hundred foreskins of the Philistines for dowry;

hoping that, in endeavouring to procure them, David might fall

by the hands of the Philistines, 25.

David agrees to the conditions, fulfils them, and has Michal to

wife, 26-30.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII

Verse 1 Samuel 18:1. When he had made an end of speaking — These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint. See the notes on the preceding chapter.

Jonathan loved him as his own soul — The most intimate friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances, and which exemplified all that the ancients have said on the subject; Την φιλιαν ισοτητα ειναι, και μιαν ψυχην, τον φιλον ἑτερον αυτον; "Friendship produces an entire sameness; it is one soul in two bodies: a friend is another self."