1 Samuel 18:2

2 (From that day on Saul kept David [as his servant] and didn't let him go back to his family.)

1 Samuel 18:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:2

And Saul took him that day
Not only into his favour, and into his service, but into his court; even on that very day he slew the Philistine, or however as soon as it could be done:

and would let him go no more home to his father's house;
as he used to do before; when he only served as a musician to him, then he was only at court when Saul was in a melancholy disposition, and wanted him, and so was going and returning, and in the intervals kept his father's sheep, ( 1 Samuel 17:15 ) ; but now he would not suffer him to attend such business any longer, since he was not only to become a courtier, and be made a prince or noble, but to marry his daughter, according to the declaration he had made, with respect to any man that should kill Goliath.

1 Samuel 18:2 In-Context

1 David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.

2 (From that day on Saul kept David [as his servant] and didn't let him go back to his family.)

3 So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as [he loved] himself.

4 Jonathan took off the coat he had on and gave it to David along with his battle tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5 David was successful wherever Saul sent him. Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, including Saul's officials.