1 Samuel 18:3

3 Then ¹Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him 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 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

2 Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house.

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

4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.

5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 20:8-17