1 Samuel 18:1

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,.... In answer to his questions about his descent and family, and doubtless more things were talked of than are recorded: that the

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David.

1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 18 Jonathan loveth David; they covenant together, . Saul envieth David’ s praise; in his fury seeketh to kill him, : is afraid of him; and removeth him: he is loved by the people, . Saul offereth David his daughters; first Merab, who is given to Adriel; then Michal, who loveth David, . Saul demandeth one hundred foreskins of the Philistines for a dowry: David promiseth; delivereth double the number; obtaineth Michal, . Saul’ s fear and hatred, and David’ s glory, increaseth, . Partly for his excellent virtues and endowments, which shone forth both in his speeches and actions; partly, for the great and good service which he had done to God and to his people; and partly, for the similitude of their age and qualities.

1 Samuel 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.Ver. 1. When he had made an end of speaking unto Saul.] No doubt but David spake much more than is here expressed, abasing himself, and exalting God, as sole Author of the victory over Goliath, &c. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart," and "in his tongue the law of kindness." Hence Jonathan’ s good heart was so fast glued to David, - for grace is of a uniting nature, - as also propter similitudinem morum et amorum, by reason of the similitude and suitableness of their natures and manners; for likeness maketh love. That the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David.] Corporibus geminis spritus unus erat. So the primitive Christians were "of one heart and of one soul." Animo animaque inter se miscebantur, saith Tertullian. So were Basil and Nazianzen, Eusebius and Pamphilus, Minutius Faelix and Octavianus, as themselves witness. And Jonathan loved him as his own soul.] A sweet mercy of God to David to have such a fast friend in court, to advertise him, and advise him on all occasions.

(1) The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David.—We have in this and the following chapters somewhat of a detailed account of David at the Court of Saul. In 1 Samuel 16 this Court life of the future king has been already touched upon, notably in 1 Samuel 18:21-23, where the affection of Saul for David was mentioned, where also the appointing of the young shepherd to a post about the king’s person is recorded. But this mention in 1 Samuel 16 considerably anticipated the course of events. In relating the results of this affection of Saul for David, the writer of what we may term the episode treating of the influence of music and poetry passed over, so to speak, the story of several years, in the course of which took place the single combat of David with the Philistine giant, and the victorious campaign in which the young hero took so distinguished a part. The history here takes up the thread of the future king’s life, after the campaigns which immediately followed the discomfiture of the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 18:6 and following). 1 Samuel 18:1-4 simply relate the beginning of the world-famous friendship between Prince Jonathan and David. The Hebrew is rendered “was knit,” or better, was bound up. This is a strong term, and is used in Genesis 44:30 of Jacob’s love to Benjamin: “seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life.” Aristotle, Nicom. ix. 8, has noted that friends are called one soul. Jonathan loved him as his own soul.—As has been before remarked, the character of the princely son of Saul is one of the most beautiful in the Old Testament story. He was the type of a true warrior of those wild, half-barbarous times—among brave men seemingly the bravest—a perfect soldier, whether fighting as a simple man-at-arms or as the general of an army—chivalrous and generous—utterty free from jealousy—a fervid believer in the God of Israel—a devoted and loyal son—a true patriot in the highest sense of the word, who sealed a devoted life by a noble death, dying as he did fighting for his king and his people. The long and steady friendship of Jonathan no doubt had a powerful and enduring influence on the after life of the greatest of the Hebrew sovereigns. The words, the unselfish, beautiful love, and, above all, the splendid example of the ill-fated son of Saul, have no doubt given their colouring to many of the noblest utterances in David’s Psalms and to not a few of the most heroic deeds in David’s life. We read of this friendship as dating from the morrow of the first striking deed of arms performed by David when he slew the giant. It is clear, however, that it was not the personal bravery of the boy hero, or the rare skill he showed in the encounter, which so singularly attracted Prince Jonathan.

CHAPTER XVIII Jonathan and David commence a lasting friendship; and David acts prudently with respect to Saul, 1-5 Saul becomes jealous of David, on account of the esteem in which he is held in Israel; and, in his fury endeavours to destroy him, 6-12. David is made captain over a thousand; and the people love and respect him, 13-16. Saul, in order to ensnare him, offers him his daughter in marriage, 17-24; and requires a hundred foreskins of the Philistines for dowry; hoping that, in endeavouring to procure them, David might fall by the hands of the Philistines, 25. David agrees to the conditions, fulfils them, and has Michal to wife, 26-30. NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII Verse 1. When he had made an end of speaking] These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint. See the notes on the preceding chapter. Jonathan loved him as his own soul] The most intimate friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances, and which exemplified all that the ancients have said on the subject; Τηνφιλιανισοτηταειναι, καιμιανψυχην, τονφιλονἑτεροναυτον; "Friendship produces an entire sameness; it is one soul in two bodies: a friend is another self."

Ch. 1 Samuel 18:1-5. Jonathan’s friendship for David 1–5. This section also is not found in the Septuagint (B).

Was knit with the soul of David - The same forcible phrase occurs of Jacob’s love for Benjamin (marginal reference). Jonathan’s truly heroic character is shown in this generous love of David, and admiration of his great deed.

OF DAVID AND , 1 Samuel 18:1-4. 1. When he had made an end of speaking unto Saul — That is, after the interview mentioned in the last verse of the preceding chapter, in which David informed Saul of his father.