seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 18:1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
This is from the easy English site.
The events of these verses happened over a period. Saul was happy with David because he was successful over the Philistines. David did not go back to look after his father’s sheep any more. Instead, he lived with Saul and his family. David and Saul’s son Jonathan became good friends. Their friendship was much stronger than normal. In chapter 20, this friendship saved David’s life.
The name for the ‘special agreement’ in verse 3 was a ‘covenant’. This was a promise that they made in front of God. Therefore, they could never break this promise. They had to be loyal to each other and to their children (see 20:42).
Jonathan was the king’s son. When a king died, his son became king. In verse 4, Jonathan’s coat was his royal coat. He gave it to David. This showed that David would become king instead of Jonathan. Jonathan was not jealous of David. He even gave David his armour. Jonathan’s armour protected his life. But he believed that David’s life was more important than his was. Jonathan was not selfish. He was a true friend and was willing to die for David. This shows how much he loved David.
The name for the ‘special agreement’ in verse 3 was a ‘covenant’. This was a promise that they made in front of God. Therefore, they could never break this promise. They had to be loyal to each other and to their children (see 20:42).
Jonathan was the king’s son. When a king died, his son became king. In verse 4, Jonathan’s coat was his royal coat. He gave it to David. This showed that David would become king instead of Jonathan. Jonathan was not jealous of David. He even gave David his armour. Jonathan’s armour protected his life. But he believed that David’s life was more important than his was. Jonathan was not selfish. He was a true friend and was willing to die for David. This shows how much he loved David.
This is from the blueletterbible.org site.
Jonathan was a lot like David. They were approximately the same age, though Jonathan was probably at least five years older. They both were bold, they both were men of great trust in God, and they both were men of action. Most of all, they both were men who had a real relationship with God.
At the same time, Jonathan and David were different. Jonathan was the first-born son of a king (1 Chronicles 9:39), and David was the last-born son of a farmer. This made Jonathan more than a prince, he was the crown prince. Jonathan would, by everyone's expectation, be the next king of Israel.
At the same time, Jonathan and David were different. Jonathan was the first-born son of a king (1 Chronicles 9:39), and David was the last-born son of a farmer. This made Jonathan more than a prince, he was the crown prince. Jonathan would, by everyone's expectation, be the next king of Israel.
There is much ado about how Jonathan's armor would fit David when Saul's wouldn't. The commentaries talk about how Jonathan and David had the same love for God. Remember.... it was Jonathan who climbed the cliff to start that battle back in 1 Samuel 14. Jonathan was a believer. That's why Jonathan's armor fit David.
I found this tidbit in Godvine.com.
Jonathan stripped himself - Presents of clothes or rich robes, in token of respect and friendship, are frequent in the East. And how frequently arms and clothing were presented by warriors to each other in token of friendship, may be seen in Homer and other ancient writers.
David and Jonathan are really close friends. I get that. What I am having a problem with is Jonathan symbolically handing the kingdom to David. The GodVine commentary says that handing down clothes was common. The commentary goes on to say it's even written in the ancient works of Homer.
I'm the oldest of five kids. I know about handing down clothes.
I think the commentaries have the cloak thing all wrong.... I think it's purer and simpler than that. Jonathan and David were friends. Jonathan had clothes and armor fit for David's new position. Jonathan's sister was a princess. David was marrying the princess. David was going to lead an army... he had just defeated Goliath.... and with Goliath... the Phillestines.... he had to wear clothes that fit his new stature. Jonathan gave them to him.
Sorry the commentaries were longer than the verses today.... IMHO the educated commentaries I generally go to are off kilter...
The point here should be.... David and Jonathan are going to be good friends... and I guess you could say they are now "cut from the same clothe" because David is wearing clothes and armor that Jonathan gave him.
Things are going to get crazy....
