1 Samuel 20:17 kjv
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
1 Samuel 20:17 nkjv
Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
1 Samuel 20:17 niv
And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
1 Samuel 20:17 esv
And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
1 Samuel 20:17 nlt
And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.
1 Samuel 20 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 18:1 | The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David... | Initial profound connection/love. |
| 1 Sam 18:3 | Jonathan and David made a covenant... | The first covenant between them. |
| 1 Sam 20:42 | Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace... for the Lord is between you and me." | Confirmation of their enduring covenant. |
| 1 Sam 23:17 | Jonathan said... "you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you." | Jonathan's acceptance of David's kingship and continued loyalty. |
| 2 Sam 1:26 | David's lament over Jonathan... "Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." | David's deep respect and appreciation for Jonathan's love. |
| Gen 2:7 | The Lord God formed man of the dust... and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. | Defines "soul" (nephesh) as the living being, essential self. |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. | Supreme standard of love, including "soul." |
| Prov 17:17 | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | Nature of true friendship exemplified by Jonathan and David. |
| Prov 18:24 | There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | Reflects the unique depth of Jonathan and David's bond. |
| John 15:13 | Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. | Christ's example of sacrificial love, echoed in Jonathan's spirit. |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Principles of deep, reciprocal Christian love. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Jonathan's selflessness in favoring David's future kingship. |
| Phil 2:5-8 | Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus... taking the form of a servant. | Christ's supreme example of humility and self-giving love. |
| 1 Cor 13:4-7 | Love is patient, love is kind... bears all things, believes all things... | Describes the enduring qualities of true biblical love, seen in Jonathan. |
| 1 Pet 1:22 | Having purified your souls by your obedience... love one another earnestly from a pure heart. | The purity and intensity of brotherly love in believers. |
| Psa 15:4 | One who swears to his own hurt and does not change... | Integrity in keeping oaths, aligning with the gravity of their covenant. |
| Ecc 5:4-5 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it... Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. | The seriousness of making and fulfilling vows. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | Jesus' teaching on oaths... "let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no." | Emphasizes honesty and truthfulness, upholding the spirit of covenants. |
| Jas 5:12 | Do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes... | Reinforces sincerity and integrity over formal oaths for believers. |
| Psa 42:1-2 | As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. | Illustrates the deepest longings and essence of the "soul" (nephesh). |
| Mark 8:36 | For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? | Highlights the ultimate value and significance of the "soul." |
| Eph 5:2 | Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us... | The highest standard of self-sacrificial love, foreshadowed in Jonathan. |
1 Samuel 20 verses
1 Samuel 20 17 Meaning
This verse highlights Jonathan's deep and profound love for David, reaffirming a prior covenant between them. It underscores that Jonathan's love for David was so complete and unconditional that he valued David's life and well-being as highly as his own. This intense affection compelled him to seek a renewed solemn oath from David, securing the continuation of their covenant in the face of rising danger from King Saul.
1 Samuel 20 17 Context
This verse is situated in a highly volatile period during King Saul's reign, immediately following David's victories against the Philistines and Saul's subsequent intense jealousy and repeated attempts to kill David. Jonathan, Saul's son and the heir apparent to the throne, had previously made a solemn covenant of friendship with David (1 Sam 18:3-4). However, with Saul's escalating paranoia and explicit commands to assassinate David, Jonathan found himself caught between loyalty to his father and loyalty to his divinely chosen friend. In 1 Samuel chapter 20, David seeks out Jonathan to understand Saul's intentions. This particular verse comes after Jonathan has assured David of his continued protection and assistance, despite the personal cost. The reaffirmation of the oath emphasizes the extraordinary depth and endurance of their bond amidst the increasing danger and political treachery.
1 Samuel 20 17 Word analysis
- And Jonathan: Emphasizes Jonathan's initiative and commitment. As Saul's son, his loyalty to David held immense weight and carried personal risk, setting him apart as a figure of remarkable devotion.
- caused David to swear again: Hebrew, wayyoseph (וַיּוֹסֶף), from yasaph, meaning "to add" or "to do again." This is a Hiphil imperfect, denoting that Jonathan made or compelled David to repeat the oath. It highlights the reaffirmation of their prior covenant (1 Sam 18:3). The repetition signals urgency, heightened solemnity, and the lasting nature of their commitment in the face of escalating danger. It underscores the vital importance of this oath as a spiritual and practical bond.
- by his love for him: Hebrew, b'ahavato (בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ), from ahavah, meaning "love" or "affection." This phrase indicates that Jonathan's love for David was the compelling force and the very essence behind his insistence on the renewed oath. It was not merely a political maneuver or a casual promise, but a covenant rooted deeply in a profound personal affection. The "him" here refers to David.
- for he loved him: Hebrew, ki ahavat (כִּי אַהֲבַת), repeating the word "love." The causal "for" (כִּי - ki) provides the reason for the renewed oath, amplifying the preceding statement. It functions as a strong reiteration and emphasizes the depth and purity of Jonathan's feelings, making it clear that love, not obligation, was the foundation of his actions.
- as he loved his own soul: Hebrew, k'napsho (כְּנַפְשׁוֹ). Nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), often translated as "soul," also refers to the entire self, one's very being, life, or inner core. To love someone "as one's own soul" is the highest possible expression of affection and commitment in biblical Hebrew, meaning to value the other person's existence and well-being as much as, or even more than, one's own. This powerful phrase is echoed from 1 Sam 18:1, linking back to the very beginning of their extraordinary friendship and demonstrating its consistent and enduring nature.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Jonathan caused David to swear again": This phrase reveals Jonathan's decisive initiative. He didn't just passively accept David's plight; he actively sought to solidify their bond through a sacred oath. This was a critical moment for re-establishing mutual commitment and trust, given Saul's treacherous behavior.
- "by his love for him, for he loved him": The double emphasis on "love" profoundly conveys its centrality. It's not simply an emotional state, but the driving force for a covenantal action. It underscores that Jonathan's love was the genuine and ultimate motivation behind his request for the oath, making their pact one of affection, not just strategy.
- "as he loved his own soul": This hyperbole communicates the absolute depth of Jonathan's devotion. It means Jonathan considered David's welfare and life to be on par with his own, demonstrating remarkable selflessness and loyalty. In ancient Near Eastern royalty, such devotion, particularly toward a rival claimant to the throne, was profoundly counter-cultural, underscoring Jonathan's extraordinary character and his reliance on divine providence over earthly ambition.
1 Samuel 20 17 Bonus section
The profound "soul-level" love between Jonathan and David is not romantic love but a covenantal friendship, reflecting a divine quality of steadfast devotion. This bond, initiated by God's spirit working in both men, demonstrates a profound trust that defies conventional political and familial norms. Jonathan's willingness to give up his birthright (implicit here, more explicit later) and affirm David's future kingship out of love and obedience to God's will is a radical act of humility and faith. This relationship serves as a model for deep, sacrificial biblical friendship and foreshadows the selfless, agape love commanded and demonstrated by Christ among His followers, valuing the well-being of the other above oneself.
1 Samuel 20 17 Commentary
1 Samuel 20:17 serves as a poignant testament to the unparalleled friendship between Jonathan and David, characterized by a love so profound it surpassed familial loyalty and personal ambition. Jonathan's initiative in having David swear an oath "again" was not a mere formality but a deliberate, spiritual act, rooting their renewed covenant in an already existing deep bond. This was a covenant of hesed, steadfast love and loyalty, not just a casual friendship. His love, explicitly stated to be "as he loved his own soul," represents the pinnacle of affection and selflessness, aligning his inner being (his nephesh) entirely with David's welfare. This kind of devotion meant Jonathan valued David's life and destiny—which included kingship—above his own inherited rights to the throne. In a treacherous environment where ambition often corrupted relationships, Jonathan's selfless love stood as a remarkable witness to faithfulness, foreshadowing a higher love exemplified by Christ, who also loved and gave Himself completely for others. It offers a powerful example of what true, sacrificial friendship looks like.