Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
A covenant, i.e. an agreement of sincere and perpetual friendship between them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Then Jonathan and David made acovenantSuch covenants of brotherhood are frequent in theEast. They are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence ofwitnesses, that the persons covenanting will be sworn brothers forlife.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,…. A covenant of friendship; entered into a solemn agreement to keep up and maintain a cordial respect to each other, and to support each other’s interest both in life and after death, whoever was the survivor; and in consequence of this David had a friend at court, when Saul fell out with him, and who pleaded his cause, and discovered his father’s plots, and was the means of preserving David’s life:
because he loved him as his own soul; so that this covenant was not founded in mere words, but in sincere and cordial affection, and was lasting and inviolable.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jonathan made a covenant (i.e., a covenant of friendship) and (i.e., with) David, because he loved him as his soul.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(3) Made a covenant.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 (1Sa. 14:6).
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 (Davids) hand in God (1Sa. 23:16).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 18:3. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, &c. That is, entered into a treaty or agreement of perpetual friendship. See 2Sa 1:26.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Ver. 3. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant. ] Heb., Cut a covenant; for the covenanters first sware, and then cut a beast in two, passing between the parts thereof, and wishing so to be cut in pieces if ever they falsified. Jer 34:18
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
made = solemnised.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
made a covenant: 1Sa 20:8-17, 1Sa 20:42, 1Sa 23:18, 2Sa 9:1-3, 2Sa 21:7
Reciprocal: Gen 21:27 – made Gen 21:32 – General Deu 13:6 – which is 1Sa 18:1 – loved him 1Sa 20:16 – made 1Sa 20:17 – for he loved 1Sa 20:41 – David exceeded 1Sa 22:8 – that my son 2Ki 11:4 – made a covenant 1Ch 12:17 – heart 2Ch 23:1 – covenant with him Pro 17:17 – General Phi 2:20 – likeminded
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 18:3. Jonathan and David made a covenant Solemnly entered into an agreement of perpetual friendship. Because he loved him, &c. Or rather, as Le Clerc renders it, so that each loved the other as his own soul. For it cannot be supposed but that David loved Jonathan as well as Jonathan loved him. Their covenant seems to have implied an engagement for mutual assistance and defence, even until death, and kindness to the posterity of each other after either of them was dead. This was wisely ordered by the providence of God, who, by this means, preserved David in that sharp persecution which shortly after rose against him at court.