1 Samuel 18:1

1 Samuel 18:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And 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.
• New International Version (NIV)After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
• English Standard Version (ESV)As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Context of 1 Samuel 18:1

When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself. 2Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself.

1 Samuel 18:1 word by word

וַיְהִ֗י כְּכַלֹּתוֹ֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וְנֶ֙פֶשׁ֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן נִקְשְׁרָ֖ה בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ דָּוִ֑ד וַיֶּאֱהָבֵ֥הוּ יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And it came to pass, when he had made an endכָּלָהkâlâh · to end: finishH3615
• of speakingדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
• unto Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• that the soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• of Jonathanיְהוֹנָתָןyehônâthân · JonathanH3083
• was knitקָשַׁרqâshar · to conspireH7194
• of Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• lovedאָהֵב'âhab 'âhêb · to love: loverH157

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 18:1

• 1 Samuel 14:1That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.
• Genesis 44:30“So if I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us — his life is wrapped up with the boy’s life —
• Judges 20:11So all the men of Israel gathered united against the city.
• 1 Chronicles 12:17David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge.”
• Psalms 86:11Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.
• Colossians 2:2I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ.
• 2 Samuel 18:3“You must not go!” the people pleaded. “If we have to flee, they will not pay any attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not pay any attention to us because you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore, it is better if you support us from the city.”
• 2 Samuel 19:2That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the troops because on that day the troops heard, “The king is grieving over his son.”
• 2 Samuel 20:17When he had come near her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said to him. He answered, “I’m listening.”
• Deuteronomy 13:6“If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let’s go and worship other gods’ — which neither you nor your ancestors have known,
• 2 Samuel 1:26I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were such a friend to me. Your love for me was more wondrous than the love of women.
• Proverbs 18:24One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 18:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1When he had made an end of speaking - These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint. See the notes on the preceding chapter, 1 Samuel 17 (note). Jonathan loved him as his own soul - The most intimate friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances, and which exemplified all…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Was knit with the soul of David - The same forcible phrase occurs of Jacob‘s love for Benjamin (marginal reference). Jonathan‘s truly heroic character is shown in this generous love of David, and admiration of his great deed.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Jonathan's friendship for David. (1-5) Saul seeks to kill David. (6-11) Saul's fear of David. (12-30) Verses 1-5 The friendship of David and Jonathan was the effect of Divine grace, which produces in true believers one heart and one soul, and causes them to love each other. This union of souls is from partaking in the Spirit of Christ. Where God unites hearts, carnal matters are too weak to separate them. Those who love Christ as their own souls, will be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1David and Jonathan shared many similarities, both were: young and capable, military heroes, had strong faith in God, and had claims to Israel's throne (each had a reason he could become king). Jonathan's true character showed when he recognized and supported God's choice of David as the next king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 18:3–4; 20:12–17). Jonathan loved him as himself: See 1 Samuel 20:17; 2 Samuel 1:26. Others in this chapter are also said to love David…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-41Sa 18:1-4. Jonathan Loves David. 1. the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David--They were nearly of an age. The prince had taken little interest in David as a minstrel; but his heroism and modest, manly bearing, his piety and high endowments, kindled the flame not of admiration only, but of affection, in the congenial mind of Jonathan.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 18:1

• Constancy
• David
• Friendship
• Jonathan

In the dictionaries

• David
• Jonathan
• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Ascribe
• Avoid
• Kingdom
• Soul
• Stripling
• Tabret

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings