Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Samuel 18

• David 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:

  • all Israel and Judah (1 Samuel 18:16),

  • Saul’s daughter Michal (1 Samuel 18:20), and

  • Saul’s servants (1 Samuel 18:22).

  Some modern interpreters suggest a romantic relationship between David and Jonathan. However, the biblical text describes their relationship as a deep and loyal friendship.

David used to work for Saul part-time (see 1 Samuel 17:15 and study note on 1 Samuel 17:15), but now Saul kept David with him all the time.

Because Jonathan loved David and knew God had chosen David to be Israel's next king (see 1 Samuel 20:13–17, 30–31; 23:17), he made a serious promise of friendship with him. Jonathan gave David items that showed his status as the king's son and crown prince, symbolically passing his right to be the next king to David.

thousands … tens of thousands: This very large increase in numbers between two lines of Hebrew poetry was a way of making the statement stronger (see Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalm 91:7). Because of his great military victories, David was beginning to become more popular and more successful than Saul (1 Samuel 18:16, 30; 21:11).

Saul came to view David as a threat rather than an ally and would do anything to get rid of him.

In his jealousy and fear, Saul would have been happier with one dead David than with thousands of dead Philistines (18:7).

The Lord had departed from Saul as king as punishment for his disobedience. Saul’s kingship would fail, and David’s would succeed (1 Samuel 18:14).

Saul offered his older daughter, Merab, to David. But he did not truly intend to give Merab to David.

Saul promised his daughter to anyone who could kill Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25; see also Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12). But he added more risks for David (see also 1 Samuel 18:21, 25).

Who am I, and what is my family: This shows humility (see also 2 Samuel 7:18; compare Exodus 3:11). David's family could not pay the bride price to marry the king's daughter (1 Samuel 18:23–25).

So: Or But. Either David did not accept the offer, or Saul did not keep his promise.

is pleased with you: The same Hebrew word describes Jonathan’s love for David (1 Samuel 18:3; 19:1–2). Here, it was completely untrue.

A future son-in-law would give a bride price (a required gift) to his bride’s father (see Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16–17).

even more afraid: Saul’s fear was not justified. Even when Saul treated David as an enemy, David continued to honor Saul as king (see 1 Samuel 24; 26).