After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. After David had finished speaking with SaulThis phrase sets the stage for the deep and immediate bond that forms between Jonathan and David. The context here is crucial; David has just demonstrated his faith and courage by defeating Goliath, which leads to his conversation with King Saul. The Hebrew root for "speaking" (דָּבַר, dabar) often implies not just casual conversation but a significant exchange of words, suggesting that David's words and demeanor left a profound impression on those present, including Jonathan. This moment marks a pivotal transition in David's life, moving from a shepherd boy to a key figure in Israel's royal court. the soul of Jonathan
The Hebrew word for "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) encompasses more than just the spiritual aspect; it refers to the entire being, including emotions, desires, and life force. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is portrayed as a man of deep character and spiritual insight. His soul's connection to David indicates a profound and immediate recognition of David's God-given destiny and character. This connection is not merely emotional but spiritual, suggesting a divine orchestration in their friendship. was knit to the soul of David
The imagery of being "knit" (קָשַׁר, qashar) suggests a binding or tying together, indicating a strong, inseparable bond. This term is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe alliances or covenants, emphasizing the depth and seriousness of their relationship. In a historical context, such a bond between two men, especially in a royal setting, would have been seen as a powerful alliance. Spiritually, it reflects the unity and brotherhood that can exist among those who are aligned with God's purposes. and Jonathan loved him as himself
The Hebrew word for "loved" (אָהַב, ahav) is a strong term that encompasses deep affection, loyalty, and commitment. Jonathan's love for David is described in the same terms as the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18), indicating a selfless, covenantal love. This love is not based on personal gain or ambition but is rooted in a recognition of God's anointing on David. Jonathan's willingness to love David as himself foreshadows the sacrificial love that Christ would later exemplify, serving as an inspirational model of true friendship and loyalty. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidA young shepherd who had recently gained fame by defeating Goliath. He is anointed by God to be the future king of Israel. 2. JonathanThe son of King Saul, known for his bravery and deep faith in God. He forms a covenantal friendship with David. 3. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous of David's success and popularity. 4. The CovenantThe deep bond and commitment formed between Jonathan and David, signifying loyalty and love. 5. IsraelThe nation over which Saul is king and where these events unfold. Teaching Points The Nature of Godly FriendshipGodly friendships are characterized by selflessness and deep commitment, as seen in Jonathan's love for David. Covenantal RelationshipsTrue friendships often involve a covenant-like commitment, where loyalty and love are prioritized over personal gain. Love as a Reflection of God's LoveJonathan's love for David is a reflection of the love God calls us to have for one another, loving others as we love ourselves. The Role of Divine ProvidenceThe meeting of David and Jonathan was orchestrated by God, showing His hand in forming relationships that fulfill His purposes. Overcoming Jealousy and RivalryJonathan's acceptance and love for David, despite the potential threat to his own succession, teaches us to overcome jealousy with love and trust in God's plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the friendship between Jonathan and David challenge our understanding of loyalty and selflessness in relationships today? 2. In what ways can we cultivate covenantal friendships in our own lives, and what might that look like practically? 3. How does Jonathan's love for David reflect the love that Jesus calls us to have for one another in the New Testament? 4. What can we learn from Jonathan's ability to see God's hand in David's life, and how can we apply this discernment in our relationships? 5. How can we overcome feelings of jealousy or rivalry in our relationships, following Jonathan's example of love and trust in God's plan? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 20This chapter further explores the covenant between Jonathan and David, highlighting their loyalty and mutual respect. Proverbs 18:24This verse speaks of a friend who sticks closer than a brother, reflecting the deep bond between Jonathan and David. John 15:13Jesus speaks of the greatest love being to lay down one's life for friends, which echoes the sacrificial nature of Jonathan's love for David. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Bound, David, David's, Dear, Ended, Finished, Finisheth, Joined, Jonathan, Knit, Loved, Loveth, Pass, Saul, Soul, Speak, Speaking, Spirit, Talk, TalkingDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:1 5689 friendlessness
5781 affection
5895 intimacy 1 Samuel 18:1-2 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 18:1-3 5691 friends, good 1 Samuel 18:1-4 7032 unity, God's people Library A Soul's Tragedy
'And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war; and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7. And the women answered one another as they played, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWar! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 18:1 NIV1 Samuel 18:1 NLT1 Samuel 18:1 ESV1 Samuel 18:1 NASB1 Samuel 18:1 KJV
1 Samuel 18:1 Commentaries
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