1 Samuel 20:17
New International Version
And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

New Living Translation
And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

English Standard Version
And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

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

King James Bible
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

New King James Version
Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

New American Standard Bible
And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

NASB 1995
Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

NASB 1977
And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jonathan made David swear again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Amplified Bible
Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, for Jonathan loved him as himself.

Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him 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.

Contemporary English Version
Jonathan thought as much of David as he did of himself, so he asked David to promise once more that he would be a loyal friend.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Once again Jonathan swore an oath to David because of his love for David. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.

Good News Translation
Once again Jonathan made David promise to love him, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

International Standard Version
Jonathan made David vow again out of his love for him, because he loved him as himself.

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

NET Bible
Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own life.

New Heart English Bible
And Jonathan swore to David again, because he loved him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

World English Bible
Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Jonathan adds to cause David to swear, because he loves him, for he has loved him [as] the love [for] his own soul.

Young's Literal Translation
and Jonathan addeth to cause David to swear, because he loveth him, for with the love of his own soul he hath loved him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will add to cause David to swear in his loving him; as loving his soul he loved him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan swore again to David, because he loved him: for he loved him as his own soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jonathan continued to swear to David, because he loved him. For he loved him like his own soul.

New American Bible
And in his love for David, Jonathan renewed his oath to him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

New Revised Standard Version
Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan added to his oath to David in that he loved him; because of the love of his soul he loved him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan swore yet again to David, because he loved the soul of him that loved him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” 17And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. 18Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:1-3
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

1 Samuel 19:1-2
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, / so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

1 Samuel 24:16-22
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud / and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. ...

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

2 Samuel 15:37
So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

2 Samuel 16:16-17
And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” / “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”


Treasury of Scripture

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

because he loved him.

1 Samuel 18:1,3
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…

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;

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.

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Addeth Cause Caused David Dear Jonathan Love Loveth Oath Reaffirm Soul Swear Vow
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Addeth Cause Caused David Dear Jonathan Love Loveth Oath Reaffirm Soul Swear Vow
1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














And Jonathan
The name "Jonathan" in Hebrew is "Yehonatan," meaning "Yahweh has given." Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a significant figure in the narrative of 1 Samuel. His name itself is a testament to the providence and grace of God, suggesting that Jonathan's actions and character are gifts from God. His role as a prince and a warrior is overshadowed by his deep spiritual and emotional connection with David, which is central to this passage.

had David reaffirm his vow
The act of reaffirming a vow indicates a renewal or strengthening of a previous commitment. In the Hebrew context, vows were sacred and binding, often made before God as a witness. This phrase suggests a deepening of the covenantal relationship between Jonathan and David, emphasizing the seriousness and sanctity of their bond. It reflects the biblical principle of covenant, which is foundational to understanding God's relationship with His people.

out of love for him
The Hebrew word for love used here is "ahavah," which encompasses a range of meanings from deep affection to covenantal loyalty. Jonathan's love for David is not merely emotional but is rooted in a commitment that mirrors the steadfast love God shows to His people. This love transcends personal gain or political advantage, highlighting a selfless and sacrificial nature that is a model for Christian relationships.

for Jonathan loved David
This repetition underscores the depth and sincerity of Jonathan's feelings. The narrative emphasizes that Jonathan's actions are motivated by genuine love, which is a reflection of the biblical command to love one's neighbor. This love is a powerful force that shapes the events of the story, demonstrating the transformative power of godly relationships.

as he loved himself
This phrase echoes the commandment found in Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself," which Jesus later affirms as one of the greatest commandments. Jonathan's love for David is portrayed as pure and selfless, setting a standard for Christian love and friendship. It challenges believers to consider how they love others and to strive for a love that mirrors the selfless love of Christ.

(17) And Jonathan caused David to swear again.--Throughout this touching interview it is the prince who appears as the suppliant for the outlaw's ruture kind offices. Jonathan--looking forward with absolute certainty to the day when his persecuted friend would be on the throne, and he in his grave--dreaded for his own fatherless children the fate which too probably awaited them, it having been in all ages a common custom in the East, when the dynasty was violently changed, to put to death the children and near relations of the former king.

Verse 17. - Jonathan caused David to swear again. So strong was his conviction in David's future kingdom, and his wish that there should be an unbroken bond of love between the two families, that he makes David solemnly repeat his promise. The Septuagint and Vulgate, by altering the vowels, read, "And Jonathan sware again to David." At first sight this interpretation seems most in accordance with the reason given for the renewal of the oath, namely, Jonathan's own love; but the Masoretic text agrees better with what has gone before, and with his wish that their covenant under no change of circumstances should be broken.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Jonathan
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙ (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

had David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

reaffirm
וַיּ֤וֹסֶף (way·yō·w·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

his vow
לְהַשְׁבִּ֣יעַ (lə·haš·bî·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

out of love
בְּאַהֲבָת֖וֹ (bə·’a·hă·ḇā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

for him,
אֹת֑וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[Jonathan] loved [David]
אֲהֵבֽוֹ׃ (’ă·hê·ḇōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

as he loved
אַהֲבַ֥ת (’a·hă·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

himself.
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:17 Jonathan caused David to swear again (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:16
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