1 Samuel 20:17

17 Once again Jonathan swore an oath to David because of his love for David. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.

1 Samuel 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again
Or Jonathan added to make David swears ^F21; having sworn himself to make a covenant of friendship with David and his family, he moved and insisted on it, that David should swear to keep covenant with him, and his family:

because he loved him;
it was not so much for the good and safety of his offspring that he made this motion, and was so desirous of renewing and enlarging his covenant with David, as it was his strong love and affection for him; being on that account desirous that there might be the strictest friendship imaginable retained between the two families; or he made him swear by his love to him, as some understand it, which is not so likely; the former sense is better, for he himself sware by the Lord, ( 1 Samuel 20:12 1 Samuel 20:13 ) ;

for he loved him as his own soul;
or "with the love of his soul" ^F23; with the most cordial affection, with a truly hearty and sincere love, see ( 1 Samuel 18:1 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Poyw) "et addidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so the Tigurine version.
F23 (wvpn tbha) "secundum dilectionem animae suae", Pagninus; "amore sui ipsius", Junius & Tremellius.

1 Samuel 20:17 In-Context

15 never stop being kind to my family. The Lord will wipe each of David's enemies off the face of the earth.

16 At that time, if Jonathan's name is cut off from David's family, then may the LORD punish David's house."

17 Once again Jonathan swore an oath to David because of his love for David. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.

18 "Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival," Jonathan told him, "and you will be missed when your seat is empty.

19 The day after tomorrow you will be missed even more. So go to the place where you hid on that other occasion, and stay by the rock.