Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Then JonathanThe name "Jonathan" in Hebrew is "Yehonatan," meaning "Yahweh has given." Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a significant figure in the narrative of 1 Samuel. His actions and character are often seen as a model of loyalty and faithfulness. Historically, Jonathan's role as the crown prince of Israel adds weight to his relationship with David, who was anointed by God to be the next king. Jonathan's willingness to form a covenant with David, despite the potential threat to his own succession, highlights his selflessness and recognition of God's will. made a covenant
The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "berit," which signifies a solemn agreement or promise between two parties. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were binding and often involved a ritual or sacrifice to seal the agreement. Jonathan's covenant with David is a profound act of commitment and loyalty, transcending political alliances. It reflects a deep spiritual bond and mutual respect, rooted in their shared faith in God. This covenant is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of covenant relationships, emphasizing love, sacrifice, and fidelity. with David
David, whose name in Hebrew is "Dawid," meaning "beloved," is a central figure in the biblical narrative. At this point in 1 Samuel, David is a young shepherd who has been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the future king of Israel. His relationship with Jonathan is pivotal, as it provides David with support and protection during Saul's increasingly hostile reign. The mention of David in this covenant underscores the divine favor upon him and foreshadows his future as a man after God's own heart. because he loved him
The Hebrew word for "loved" is "ahav," which encompasses a range of meanings from familial affection to deep friendship. Jonathan's love for David is portrayed as pure and selfless, reflecting the highest ideals of friendship. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through action, as Jonathan consistently supports and defends David. In a broader biblical context, this love can be seen as a reflection of God's love for humanity, characterized by commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering loyalty. as himself
This phrase highlights the depth of Jonathan's love for David, equating it to the love one has for oneself. It echoes the biblical commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18), which is later reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament. Jonathan's love for David is an embodiment of this commandment, showcasing a selfless and sacrificial love that prioritizes the well-being of the other. This phrase challenges believers to examine their own relationships and strive for a love that mirrors the self-giving love of Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. JonathanThe son of King Saul, known for his deep friendship with David. Jonathan is a model of loyalty and selflessness, demonstrating a love that transcends personal ambition. 2. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. At this point in the account, David is a young warrior who has recently defeated Goliath and gained favor in Saul's court. 3. CovenantA solemn agreement or promise, often involving commitments and responsibilities. In the context of Jonathan and David, it signifies a deep bond of friendship and loyalty. 4. LoveThe Hebrew word used here is "ahav," which denotes a deep, personal affection. Jonathan's love for David is characterized by selflessness and commitment. 5. Saul's CourtThe setting where David serves after his victory over Goliath. It is a place of political intrigue and growing tension as Saul becomes increasingly jealous of David. Teaching Points The Nature of True FriendshipTrue friendship is marked by selflessness and loyalty. Jonathan's willingness to make a covenant with David, despite the potential cost to himself, exemplifies this. Covenantal RelationshipsCovenants in the Bible often involve deep commitments and responsibilities. In our relationships, we should strive to uphold our commitments with integrity and love. Love as a Reflection of God's CharacterJonathan's love for David reflects the kind of love God has for us—selfless, committed, and enduring. We are called to love others in the same way. Overcoming Jealousy and RivalryJonathan's relationship with David stands in contrast to Saul's jealousy. We should seek to celebrate others' successes rather than view them as threats. The Role of Godly Friendships in Spiritual GrowthFriendships like that of Jonathan and David can be instrumental in our spiritual journey, providing support, encouragement, and accountability. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jonathan's covenant with David challenge our understanding of friendship in today's context? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate selfless love in our relationships, similar to Jonathan's love for David? 3. How can the concept of covenantal relationships apply to our commitments in marriage, family, and church community? 4. What lessons can we learn from Jonathan's ability to overcome potential jealousy and rivalry with David? 5. How can we cultivate godly friendships that encourage spiritual growth and accountability in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 17:17This verse speaks of a friend who loves at all times, highlighting the enduring nature of true friendship, as seen in Jonathan and David's relationship. John 15:13Jesus speaks of the greatest love being to lay down one's life for friends, reflecting the sacrificial nature of Jonathan's love for David. Ruth 1:16-17Ruth's commitment to Naomi mirrors the covenantal loyalty seen in Jonathan and David's friendship. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Agreement, Covenant, David, Jonathan, Jonathan's, Love, Loved, Loveth, Maketh, SoulDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:3 1346 covenants, nature of
5781 affection
5874 happiness
5895 intimacy
7925 fellowship, among believers
8252 faithfulness, relationships
8298 love, for one another 1 Samuel 18:1-3 5691 friends, good 1 Samuel 18:1-4 7032 unity, God's people 1 Samuel 18:3-4 5592 treaty 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 18:3 NIV1 Samuel 18:3 NLT1 Samuel 18:3 ESV1 Samuel 18:3 NASB1 Samuel 18:3 KJV
1 Samuel 18:3 Commentaries
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