1 Samuel 23:18

18 Then the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David stayed at Horesh, but Jonathan went back home.

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 Saul's son Jonathan came to David at Horesh and encouraged him with God.

17 Jonathan said to him, "Don't be afraid! My father Saul's hand won't touch you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul knows this."

18 Then the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David stayed at Horesh, but Jonathan went back home.

19 Some Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah. "David is hiding among us in the fortresses at Horesh on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon," they said.

20 "So whenever you want to come down, Your Majesty, do it! Leave it to us to hand him over to the king."