1 Samuel 18:2. Saul took him that day By which it appears, that, before this, David had not had his constant residence at court, after he first came thither, but went home to his father when Saul was well, and had no need of him. This confirms the remarks made on the former chapter. read more
1 Samuel 18:3. Jonathan and David made a covenant Solemnly entered into an agreement of perpetual friendship. Because he loved him, &c. Or rather, as Le Clerc renders it, so that each loved the other as his own soul. For it cannot be supposed but that David loved Jonathan as well as Jonathan loved him. Their covenant seems to have implied an engagement for mutual assistance and defence, even until death, and kindness to the posterity of each other after either of them was dead. This... read more
David’s success and Saul’s jealousy (18:1-30)Once David came to live at Saul’s court, he and Jonathan became close friends. In fact, Jonathan promised loyalty to David as if bound to him by covenant. David continued to produce outstanding successes as a soldier, and Saul made him an officer. The promotion was popular with army officers and common people alike (18:1-5). David’s popularity, however, stirred up Saul’s jealousy, and Saul tried to kill him (6-11). Saul was now afraid of David, so... read more
soul . Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Jonathan . At this time he was about forty; and about fifty-three or fifty-four when he died. He would be about twenty-four years older than David, and his love was maternal in character. Ish-bosheth, Saul's second son, was forty at his father's death (2 Samuel 2:10 ). read more
DAVID BECOMES A MEMBER OF SAUL'S FAMILYJust as the efforts of Pharaoh to destroy Israel led directly to the placement of Moses within the inner circle of the family of Pharaoh, bouncing Moses, as it were, out of the Nile river into the lap of the princess, in a similar manner, Saul's repeated efforts to get rid of his rival David resulted in David's marriage to Saul's daughter! Certainly the hand of God is visible in every line of this remarkable chapter.THE LOVING FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN AND... read more
1 Samuel 18:1. The soul of Jonathan was knit— We shall have occasion in the close of this history to speak particularly concerning this amiable and virtuous friendship. It is plain from the 2nd verse, that David had gone back to his father's house after his first introduction to Saul; which confirms the remarks made respecting this history in the former chapter. read more
1 Samuel 18:3. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, &c.— That is, entered into a treaty or agreement of perpetual friendship. See 2 Samuel 1:26. read more
1. the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David—They were nearly of an age. The prince had taken little interest in David as a minstrel; but his heroism and modest, manly bearing, his piety and high endowments, kindled the flame not of admiration only, but of affection, in the congenial mind of Jonathan. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:1
1 Samuel 18:1. The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David On account of the prudence and modesty of his discourse and behaviour after such an heroic action, and the other excellent virtues which shone forth both in his speeches and actions; for the service he had done to God and to his people; and for the similitude of their age and qualities. read more