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1 Samuel 18:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 18:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And 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.
2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father`s house.
3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his apparel, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul`s servants.
6And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
← 1 Samuel 18:21 Samuel 18:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, etc.] A covenant of friendship; entered into a solemn agreement to keep up and maintain a cordial respect to each other, and to support each other’s interest both in life and after death, whoever was the survivor; and in consequence of this David had a friend at court, when Saul fell out with him, and who pleaded his cause, and discovered his father’s plots, and was the means of preserving David’s life: because he loved him as his own soul; so that this covenant was not founded in mere words, but in sincere and cordial affection, and was lasting and inviolable.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant--Such covenants of brotherhood are frequent in the East. They are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence of witnesses, that the persons covenanting will be sworn brothers for life.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:3-4 Out of his love for David and recognition that God had chosen David to be Israel’s next king (see 20:13-17, 30-31; 23:17), Jonathan made a solemn pact of friendship with David. By giving David items that symbolized his official status as the king’s son and crown prince, Jonathan symbolically gave David his right of succession to the throne.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made a covenant: Sa1 20:8-17, Sa1 20:42, Sa1 23:18; Sa2 9:1-3, Sa2 21:7 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 18:4”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jonathan made a covenant (i.e., a covenant of friendship) and (i.e., with) David, because he loved him as his soul. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 18:4”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification