1 Samuel 18:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As David finishes speaking with Saul, Jonathan's heart is bound to David in deep friendship and love.
What Does 1 Samuel 18:1 Mean?
The scene follows David's victory over Goliath and his report to Saul. Jonathan, the king's son and heir, is listening. Something in David's words and courage stirs him, and at once a bond forms between the two young men that will shape the rest of the book.
Here is love that asks for nothing and gives everything. Jonathan, who stood to lose a throne to David, instead loves him as his own life. Such love foreshadows the Lord who lays down His life for His friends, and it shows us that the deepest loyalty is not built on advantage but on the recognition of God's hand in another.
1 Samuel 18:1 in the Original Language
nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), 'soul' -- the whole living person, the seat of life and desire, not merely an inner part.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 18:1
What does 1 Samuel 18:1 mean?
As David finishes speaking with Saul, Jonathan's heart is bound to David in deep friendship and love.