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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jonathan {H3083} caused David {H1732} to swear {H7650} again {H3254}, because he loved {H160} him: for he loved {H157} him as he loved {H160} his own soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'honatan had David swear it again, because of the love he had for him - he loved him as he loved himself.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

American Standard Version

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:17 profoundly illustrates the extraordinary depth of the covenantal bond and unwavering affection between Jonathan, King Saul's son, and David. This verse encapsulates Jonathan's remarkable selflessness and profound devotion, reaffirming a sacred oath that transcended political ambition and familial loyalty, setting a benchmark for true friendship in the face of immense personal and national upheaval.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of 1 Samuel, immediately following Jonathan's heartfelt plea to David to remain hidden while he ascertains King Saul's true intentions. Jonathan has just made a solemn covenant with David, appealing to God as a witness and requesting that David show kindness to his descendants should he become king (1 Samuel 20:12-16). The "swear again" in verse 17 refers to this renewed covenant, solidifying the profound commitment established earlier in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - Jonathan and David's First Covenant"). The surrounding chapters detail Saul's escalating paranoia and murderous jealousy towards David, whom God had chosen to succeed him. Jonathan's actions here are not merely an act of friendship but a deliberate, dangerous intervention to protect David, demonstrating a loyalty that directly opposes his own father's will and his dynastic aspirations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, covenants were solemn, binding agreements, often sealed with oaths and sacrifices, invoking divine witness and carrying severe consequences for breach. Such covenants could be between individuals, families, or nations. The concept of "loving one's own soul" (or "life") was a powerful idiom signifying the highest degree of affection and identification, implying that the well-being of the beloved was as vital as one's own. Furthermore, the succession to the throne was typically hereditary, making Jonathan's willingness to relinquish his claim for David's sake (implicitly acknowledged in their covenant) an act of extraordinary self-abnegation. This period was also marked by the transition from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy, with the tension between divinely appointed leadership and human dynastic ambition playing a central role, as seen in Saul's rejection and David's anointing.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [1 Samuel 20:17](/1_samuel/20-17 "1 Samuel 20:17 - Jonathan's Love for David") is **unconditional love and covenant loyalty**. Jonathan's love for David is presented as the epitome of selfless friendship, transcending personal gain and even familial duty. This bond is not merely emotional but is formalized through sacred oaths, highlighting the binding nature of their commitment. Another significant theme is **divine sovereignty versus human ambition**. Jonathan, as the rightful heir, willingly steps aside for David, aligning himself with God's chosen king rather than his father's failing reign. This act foreshadows David's eventual ascent to the throne and underscores the divine hand in Israel's leadership. The verse also subtly touches upon **sacrificial devotion**, as Jonathan's love for David ultimately costs him his own potential kingship and, tragically, his life alongside his father, yet his legacy endures through David's faithfulness to their covenant, as seen in [2 Samuel 9](/2_samuel/9 "2 Samuel 9 - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Loved (Heb. אָהַב, _'ahav'_):** This verb signifies a deep, abiding, and active affection, not merely a fleeting emotion. It implies commitment, loyalty, and a desire for the well-being of the beloved. In the context of Jonathan and David, it describes a profound bond that moves beyond superficial friendship to a covenantal relationship, characterized by mutual care and unwavering support, even in the face of extreme adversity and personal cost.
* **Soul (Heb. נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh'_):** In Hebrew thought, _nephesh_ refers to the whole person, the very essence of one's being, including life, vitality, and personality. To love someone "as one's own soul" is the highest possible expression of identification and affection, indicating that Jonathan's concern for David's life and destiny was as intense and vital as his concern for his own. It suggests an inseparable bond where the welfare of one is intrinsically linked to the welfare of the other.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jonathan caused David to swear again,"**: This clause emphasizes the renewal and reinforcement of the covenant between Jonathan and David. The initial covenant was made in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - Jonathan and David's First Covenant"), where Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt, symbolizing a transfer of status and a deep personal bond. The act of making David "swear again" (or "take an oath again") underscores the gravity and enduring nature of their commitment, particularly in light of Saul's escalating hostility. It signifies a deliberate and solemn reaffirmation of their unbreakable loyalty before God.
* **"because he loved him:"**: This phrase provides the fundamental motivation for Jonathan's actions. His love for David was not incidental but the driving force behind his protective measures and his willingness to risk his own life and future. This love is presented as the primary reason for the renewed oath, highlighting the personal, emotional, and spiritual depth of their relationship.
* **"for he loved him as he loved his own soul."**: This final clause is a powerful intensifier, explaining the extraordinary nature of Jonathan's love. It is a superlative expression, indicating that Jonathan's affection for David was as profound, essential, and self-preserving as his love for his own life. This level of love implies complete identification and unwavering devotion, prioritizing David's well-being and future above his own dynastic claims or even his own safety. It is a love that transcends typical human relationships, bordering on the divine in its selflessness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Jonathan's love. **Repetition** of the verb "loved" (אָהַב, _'ahav_) three times within this short verse ("because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul") serves to emphasize and underscore the central theme of Jonathan's profound affection. This repetition creates a rhythmic intensity, impressing upon the reader the singular importance of this emotion. Furthermore, the phrase "as he loved his own soul" functions as a striking **simile** and a form of **hyperbole**. It compares Jonathan's love for David to the ultimate self-preservation instinct, elevating their bond to an extraordinary, almost unparalleled level. This hyperbolic language effectively communicates a love that is selfless, all-encompassing, and deeply identifying, making David's well-being as crucial as Jonathan's own.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound love and covenant between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20:17 serve as a powerful biblical illustration of selfless devotion and unwavering loyalty, echoing deeper theological truths. This bond, sealed by oath, transcends human ambition and familial ties, reflecting a divine principle of covenant faithfulness. Jonathan's willingness to relinquish his rightful claim to the throne for David, God's anointed, foreshadows the ultimate submission to God's sovereign plan. Their friendship stands as a testament to the kind of agape love that prioritizes the welfare of the other, even at great personal cost, a concept foundational to biblical ethics and ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

* [1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1-4 - Jonathan's Soul Knit to David")
* [2 Samuel 9:1-7](/2_samuel/9-1 "2 Samuel 9:1-7 - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's Sake")
* [John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The friendship between Jonathan and David, as encapsulated in 1 Samuel 20:17, offers a timeless model for authentic, selfless human relationships. In a world often characterized by self-interest and transactional connections, Jonathan's love for David challenges us to cultivate friendships rooted in genuine care, unwavering loyalty, and sacrificial support. His willingness to prioritize David's well-being, even at the expense of his own dynastic future, calls us to consider the depth of our own commitments. True friendship, as exemplified here, involves mutual respect, steadfast encouragement, and a readiness to stand with one another through trials, even when it demands personal cost. It reminds us that the most profound bonds are those where we value the other's "soul" as much as our own, reflecting a divine principle of selfless devotion that seeks the good of the beloved above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jonathan's love for David challenge your understanding of true friendship and loyalty?**
* **In what ways might you be called to demonstrate selfless love for others, even when it requires personal sacrifice or goes against your own interests?**
* **How can the concept of "loving as one's own soul" be practically applied in your relationships today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jonathan make David swear again, if they had already made a covenant?**

Answer: Jonathan caused David to swear again (1 Samuel 20:17) not because the previous covenant (recorded in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - Jonathan and David's First Covenant")) was insufficient, but to reaffirm and deepen their commitment in the face of escalating danger. The immediate context of [1 Samuel 20](/1_samuel/20 "1 Samuel 20 - Jonathan Warns David") shows Jonathan actively trying to discern Saul's murderous intentions towards David. The renewed oath, particularly the part where Jonathan asks David to show kindness to his descendants (1 Samuel 20:14-16), highlights the gravity of the situation and the enduring nature of their bond, extending it beyond their lifetimes. It was a solemn, desperate measure to secure David's promise of protection for Jonathan's family, knowing that David was destined for the throne and that his own life, and perhaps his lineage, might be at risk under a new king. This "again" signifies a reinforcement and expansion of their covenant, making it even more binding and comprehensive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound, selfless love of Jonathan for David, culminating in a covenant that superseded his own royal claim, serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Jonathan, the rightful heir, voluntarily steps aside for David, God's chosen king, embodying a self-emptying love that finds its perfect expression in Jesus Christ. Just as Jonathan loved David "as he loved his own soul," so Christ, though "in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). He laid down His life, not for a friend, but for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Us")), establishing a new covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). Jonathan's covenant secured David's kindness for his descendants; Christ's covenant secures eternal life and adoption into God's family for all who believe, demonstrating a love far surpassing even Jonathan's, for "greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). Jonathan's self-sacrifice for David's future kingship beautifully prefigures Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which secures not an earthly throne, but an eternal kingdom for His people, making us co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 18:24

¶ A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

1 Samuel 18:1

¶ 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.

1 Samuel 18:3

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

2 Samuel 1:26

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

Deuteronomy 13:6

¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;