1 Samuel 18:3

3 Jonathan made a covenant with David^[a] because he loved him as much as himself.

1 Samuel 18:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:3

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant
A covenant of friendship; entered into a solemn agreement to keep up and maintain a cordial respect to each other, and to support each other's interest both in life and after death, whoever was the survivor; and in consequence of this David had a friend at court, when Saul fell out with him, and who pleaded his cause, and discovered his father's plots, and was the means of preserving David's life:

because he loved him as his own soul;
so that this covenant was not founded in mere words, but in sincere and cordial affection, and was lasting and inviolable.

1 Samuel 18:3 In-Context

1 When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan committed himself to David, and loved him as much as he loved himself.

2 Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father's house.

3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself.

4 Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5 David marched out [with the army], and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do. Saul put him in command of the soldiers, which pleased all the people and Saul's servants as well.

Footnotes

• [a] 1 Sm 20:8,16; 23:18