New King James Version
1 Samuel 18:1
1Now 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.
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 Living Translation (NLT)After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.
Context of 1 Samuel 18:1
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. 2Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Read all of 1 Samuel 181 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 14:1Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
- Genesis 44:30“Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life,
- Judges 20:11So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, united together as one man.
- 1 Chronicles 12:17And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”
- Psalms 86:11Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
- Colossians 2:2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
- 2 Samuel 18:3But the people answered, “You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city.”
- 2 Samuel 19:2So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.”
- 2 Samuel 20:17When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”
- Deuteronomy 13:6“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known, neither you nor your fathers,
- 2 Samuel 1:26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
- Proverbs 18:24A man who has friends must himself be friendly, 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries