1 Samuel 18:3

3 inierunt autem Ionathan et David foedus diligebat enim eum quasi animam suam

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 et factum est cum conplesset loqui ad Saul anima Ionathan conligata est animae David et dilexit eum Ionathan quasi animam suam

2 tulitque eum Saul in die illa et non concessit ei ut reverteretur in domum patris sui

3 inierunt autem Ionathan et David foedus diligebat enim eum quasi animam suam

4 nam expoliavit se Ionathan tunicam qua erat vestitus et dedit eam David et reliqua vestimenta sua usque ad gladium et arcum suum et usque ad balteum

5 egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul et prudenter se agebat posuitque eum Saul super viros belli et acceptus erat in oculis universi populi maximeque in conspectu famulorum Saul