1 Samuel 23:18

18 And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood: but Jonathan returned to his house.

1 Samuel 23:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:18

And they two made a covenant before the Lord
Renewed the covenant they had before made in the name and fear of God, and before him as a witness of it. Kimchi and Abarbinel interpret this phrase,

before the Lord,
of the covenant being made before Abiathar, with the Urim and Thummim in his hand; and so Jerom ^F16, before Gad the prophet, and Abiathar who wore the ephod:

and David abode in the wood;
being a proper place for him for secrecy and safety:

and Jonathan went to his house;
in Gibeah; and these two dear and cordial friends never saw one another more, as is highly probable.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 76. K.

1 Samuel 23:18 In-Context

16 And Jonathan, the son of Saul, arose, and went to David, into the wood, and strengthened his hands in God: and he said to him:

17 Fear not: for the hand of my father, Saul, shall not find thee, and thou shalt reign over Israel, and I shall be next to thee; yea and my father knoweth this.

18 And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood: but Jonathan returned to his house.

19 And the Ziphites went up to Saul, in Gabaa, saying: Lo, doth not David lie hid with us in the strong holds of the wood, in mount Hachila, which is on the right hand of the desert

20 Now therefore come down, as thy soul hath desired to come down: and it shall be our business to deliver him into the king’s hands.