1 Samuel 18:1

CHAPTER XVIII

Jonathan and David commence a lasting friendship; and David

acts prudently with respect to Saul, 1-5

Saul becomes jealous of David, on account of the esteem in

which he is held in Israel; and, in his fury endeavours to

destroy him, 6-12.

David is made captain over a thousand; and the people love and

respect him, 13-16.

Saul, in order to ensnare him, offers him his daughter in

marriage, 17-24;

and requires a hundred foreskins of the Philistines for dowry;

hoping that, in endeavouring to procure them, David might fall

by the hands of the Philistines, 25.

David agrees to the conditions, fulfils them, and has Michal to

wife, 26-30.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII

Verse 1 Samuel 18:1. When he had made an end of speaking] These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint. See the notes on the preceding chapter.

Jonathan loved him as his own soul] The most intimate friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances, and which exemplified all that the ancients have said on the subject; Την φιλιαν ισοτητα ειναι, και μιαν ψυχην, τον φιλον ἑτερον αυτον; "Friendship produces an entire sameness; it is one soul in two bodies: a friend is another self."