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 talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life. 2Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life.

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 14:1Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.
• Genesis 44:30“So now, when I return to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us – his very life is bound up in his son’s life.
• Judges 20:11So all the men of Israel gathered together at the city as allies.
• 1 Chronicles 12:17David went out to meet them and said, “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, may the God of our ancestors take notice and judge!”
• Psalms 86:11O Lord, teach me how you want me to live! Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!
• Colossians 2:2My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
• 2 Samuel 18:3But the soldiers replied, “You should not do this! For if we should have to make a rapid retreat, they won’t be too concerned about us. Even if half of us should die, they won’t be too concerned about us. But you are like ten thousand of us! So it is better if you remain in the city for support.”
• 2 Samuel 19:2So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, “The king is grieved over his son.”
• 2 Samuel 20:17When he approached her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” He replied, “I am.” She said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” He said, “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
• Deuteronomy 13:6Suppose your own full brother, your son, your daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend should seduce you secretly and encourage you to go and serve other gods that neither you nor your ancestors have previously known,
• 2 Samuel 1:26I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women.
• Proverbs 18:24A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks 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