And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearingThis act of removing his robe signifies Jonathan's deep respect and affection for David. In ancient Israel, a robe was a symbol of one's status and identity. By giving his robe to David, Jonathan is symbolically transferring his own status as the king's son and heir to David, acknowledging David's future role in God's plan. This act of humility and selflessness is reminiscent of Christ's humility, as seen in Philippians 2:7, where Jesus "made himself nothing" by taking on the nature of a servant. and gave it to David
The giving of the robe is a covenantal gesture, indicating a bond of loyalty and friendship. In the cultural context of the time, such an act would be seen as a pledge of support and alliance. This covenant between Jonathan and David is a precursor to the New Covenant established by Jesus, highlighting themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and love. along with his tunic
The tunic was an essential garment, worn close to the body. By giving his tunic, Jonathan is offering something personal and intimate, further solidifying the bond between him and David. This act can be seen as a type of Christ's offering of Himself, as He clothes believers in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). his sword
The sword represents power and protection. By giving his sword to David, Jonathan is entrusting David with his own means of defense and authority. This gesture foreshadows the spiritual armor that believers are called to take up in Ephesians 6:17, where the "sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. his bow
The bow, a weapon of warfare, symbolizes strength and skill. Jonathan's gift of his bow to David signifies his recognition of David's role as a warrior chosen by God. This act parallels the spiritual battles faced by believers, as described in 2 Corinthians 10:4, where the weapons of warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power. and his belt
The belt was used to secure garments and weapons, symbolizing readiness and preparedness. By giving his belt, Jonathan is equipping David for the challenges ahead. This is akin to the "belt of truth" mentioned in Ephesians 6:14, which is part of the full armor of God that believers are encouraged to wear. Persons / Places / Events 1. JonathanThe son of King Saul, known for his deep friendship with David. Jonathan's actions in this verse demonstrate his loyalty and love for David, as well as his recognition of David's future as king. 2. DavidThe young shepherd who had been anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point in the account, David is gaining favor in Saul's court and forming a close bond with Jonathan. 3. Saul's CourtThe setting of this event, where David is serving King Saul after his victory over Goliath. This is a place of political tension and divine orchestration, as God is preparing David for kingship. 4. The Robe and WeaponsSymbolic items that Jonathan gives to David, representing Jonathan's recognition of David's future role and his own submission to God's plan. Teaching Points Selflessness and SacrificeJonathan's actions exemplify true friendship and selflessness. Believers are called to put others' needs before their own, reflecting Christ's love. Recognizing God's PlanJonathan's willingness to give up his royal garments signifies his acceptance of God's plan for David. We should seek to discern and support God's will in the lives of others. Covenant RelationshipsThe bond between Jonathan and David is a model for covenantal relationships, characterized by loyalty, love, and mutual support. Symbolism of ClothingIn biblical times, clothing often symbolized identity and status. Jonathan's act of giving his robe to David signifies a transfer of honor and recognition of David's future role. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jonathan's act of giving his robe and weapons to David demonstrate his understanding of God's plan for Israel? 2. In what ways can we practice selflessness and sacrifice in our relationships today, following Jonathan's example? 3. How does the friendship between Jonathan and David challenge us to build deeper, covenantal relationships with others? 4. What are some modern-day "robes" or symbols of status that we might need to relinquish to support God's work in others' lives? 5. How can we discern and support God's plan in the lives of those around us, even when it might require personal sacrifice? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 20Further explores the covenant between Jonathan and David, highlighting their mutual loyalty and Jonathan's willingness to protect David from Saul's wrath. Philippians 2:3-4Encourages believers to consider others above themselves, similar to Jonathan's selfless act of giving his royal garments to David. John 15:13Jesus speaks of the greatest love being to lay down one's life for friends, which parallels Jonathan's sacrificial friendship with David. | David Invested with Royal Robes | J. R. Macduff, D. D., J. R. Macduff, D. D. | 1 Samuel 18:4 | | Divine Friendship | B. Dale | 1 Samuel 18:4 | | David and Jonathan | G. T. Coster. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | David and Jonathan | B. Kent, M. A. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Friendship | J. Stalker, D. D. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Friendship | F. Hastings. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Friendship, a Circumstance of Holy Youth | E. Monro. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Jonathan | F. B. Meyer, B. A. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Jonathan the Friend | T. Guthrie, D. D. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Love Story of David and Jonathan | L. A. Banks, D. D. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Our Social Relationships | W. Braden. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | The Attachment of Jonathan and David | C. M. Fleury, A. M. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | The Story of a Great Love | W. H. M. H. Aitkin, M. A. | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | True Friendship | B. Dale | 1 Samuel 18:1-4 | | Love and Jealousy | G. Wood | 1 Samuel 18:1-9 | | David's Life At Court | B. Dale | 1 Samuel 18:1-30 |
People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Along, Apparel, Armor, Band, Belt, Body, Bow, Clothing, David, Dress, Garments, Girdle, Giveth, Including, Jonathan, Military, Robe, Round, Sash, Stripped, Strippeth, Sword, Tunic, Upper, WearingDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:4 5131 belt
5177 robes
5209 armour
5236 bow and arrow 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 18:4 NIV1 Samuel 18:4 NLT1 Samuel 18:4 ESV1 Samuel 18:4 NASB1 Samuel 18:4 KJV
1 Samuel 18:4 Commentaries
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