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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jonathan cut a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jonathan liked David so much that they promised to always be loyal friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as [he loved] himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jonathan swore eternal friendship with David because of his deep affection for him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as he loved himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jonathan makes—David also—a covenant, because he loves him as his own soul,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jonathan maketh -- also David -- a covenant, because he loveth him as his own soul,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jonathan and David will cut out a covenant in his loving him as his soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And David and Jonathan made a covenant, for be loved him as his own soul. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then David and Jonathan formed a pact. For he loved him like his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved him as his very self.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved David as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Jonathan and David covenanted a covenant, because Jonathan loved David as himself<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/18-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=5248" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/18.htm">Jonathan Befriends David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3083.htm" title="3083: yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān (N-proper-ms) -- From Yhovah and nathan; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites.">Then Jonathan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: way·yiḵ·rōṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ (N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">a covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: wə·ḏā·wiḏ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">with David</a> <a href="/hebrew/160.htm" title="160: bə·’a·hă·ḇā·ṯōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Love (noun). Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same.">because he loved</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: kə·nap̄·šōw (Prep-k:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">as himself.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Proverbs 18:24</a></span><br />A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a></span><br />Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-16.htm">Ruth 1:16-17</a></span><br />But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-2.htm">2 Kings 2:2</a></span><br />and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a></span><br />A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-30.htm">Genesis 44:30-34</a></span><br />So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, / sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. / Indeed, your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will bear the guilt before you, my father, all my life.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a></span><br />Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-16.htm">1 John 3:16</a></span><br />By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-49.htm">Genesis 31:49-50</a></span><br />It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other. / If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, although no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a></span><br />Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/9-1.htm">2 Samuel 9:1</a></span><br />Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-14.htm">Colossians 3:14</a></span><br />And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Exodus 33:11</a></span><br />Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.</p><p class="hdg">made a covenant</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-8.htm">1 Samuel 20:8-17,42</a></b></br> Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm">1 Samuel 23:18</a></b></br> And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/9-1.htm">2 Samuel 9:1-3</a></b></br> And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-26.htm">Jonathan's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-48.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-10.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/20-8.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-8.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-37.htm">Jonathan's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-16.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-20.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-3.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-11.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">Jonathan befriends David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-5.htm">Saul envies his praise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">seeks to kill him in his fury</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-12.htm">fears him for his good success</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-17.htm">offers him his daughters for snare</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">David persuaded to be the king's son-in-law, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">gives two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal's dowry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/18-28.htm">Saul's hatred and David's glory increase</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Jonathan made a covenant with David</b><br>In the ancient Near East, covenants were solemn agreements or treaties between parties, often sealed with a ritual or sacrifice. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, initiates this covenant with David, signifying a deep bond and commitment. This act is significant as it demonstrates Jonathan's recognition of David's future as God's chosen leader of Israel, despite Jonathan's own royal lineage. The covenant reflects a selfless act of loyalty and friendship, transcending political ambitions. This mirrors the biblical theme of covenant relationships, such as God's covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Israel, emphasizing faithfulness and divine purpose.<p><b>because he loved him as himself</b><br>The phrase highlights the profound and selfless love Jonathan had for David, akin to the commandment found in <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through actions and commitments. Jonathan's love for David is a model of true friendship and loyalty, reflecting the love that Jesus Christ later exemplifies in His teachings and sacrifice. The depth of Jonathan's love is further illustrated in his willingness to protect David from Saul's wrath, even at great personal risk. This relationship foreshadows the New Testament teaching of sacrificial love, as seen in <a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a>, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jonathan.htm">Jonathan</a></b><br>The 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The 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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>A 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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/love.htm">Love</a></b><br>The Hebrew word used here is "ahav," which denotes a deep, personal affection. Jonathan's love for David is characterized by selflessness and commitment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul's_court.htm">Saul's Court</a></b><br>The 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.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_friendship.htm">The Nature of True Friendship</a></b><br>True friendship is marked by selflessness and loyalty. Jonathan's willingness to make a covenant with David, despite the potential cost to himself, exemplifies this.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenantal_relationships.htm">Covenantal Relationships</a></b><br>Covenants in the Bible often involve deep commitments and responsibilities. In our relationships, we should strive to uphold our commitments with integrity and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/love_as_a_reflection_of_god's_character.htm">Love as a Reflection of God's Character</a></b><br>Jonathan'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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_jealousy_and_rivalry.htm">Overcoming Jealousy and Rivalry</a></b><br>Jonathan's relationship with David stands in contrast to Saul's jealousy. We should seek to celebrate others' successes rather than view them as threats.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_godly_friendships_in_spiritual_growth.htm">The Role of Godly Friendships in Spiritual Growth</a></b><br>Friendships like that of Jonathan and David can be instrumental in our spiritual journey, providing support, encouragement, and accountability.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_soul_ties_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about soul ties?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_david_and_jonathan's_friendship_teach.htm">What lessons does David and Jonathan's friendship teach us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_you_with_me.htm">Are you with me?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_critics_explain_david's_lament.htm">2 Samuel 1:26: How do critics reconcile David’s intense lament for Jonathan with cultural norms of warfare and rivalry at the time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Made a covenant.</span>--The son of the first Hebrew king recognised in David a kindred spirit. They were one in their God, in their faith, in their devotion to the Divine will. Jonathan recognised in the young shepherd, who unarmed went out alone to meet the mighty Philistine warrior, the same spirit of sublime faith in the Invisible King which had inspired him in days far back to go forth alone with his armour-bearer to attack and capture the Philistine stronghold, when he spoke those memorable words which enable us to understand the character of Jonathan: "It may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few" (<a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm" title="And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.">1Samuel 14:6</a>).<p>The great friendship, which has been the admiration of succeeding generations, began with the strong faith in the Eternal common to the two friends. Throughout its duration the link which united them was an intense desire to do the will of Him who, as true Hebrew patriots, they felt loved Israel; and when the friends parted for the last time in the wilderness of Ziph, we are told how the elder (Jonathan) strengthened the younger (David's) "hand in God" (<a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm" title="And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.">1Samuel 23:16</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/18-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Jonathan</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹנָתָ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3083.htm">Strong's 3083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּכְרֹ֧ת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·rōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִ֑ית</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with David</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדָוִ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because he loved</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאַהֲבָת֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’a·hă·ḇā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_160.htm">Strong's 160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Love (noun)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹת֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as himself.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·nap̄·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/18-3.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/18-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 18:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 18:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 18:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 18:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>