Jonathan and David commence a lasting friendship; and David acts prudently with respect to Saul, 1Sam 18:1-5. Saul becomes jealous of David, on account of the esteem in which he is held in Israel; and, in his fury endeavors to destroy him, 1Sam 18:6-12. David is made captain over a thousand; and the people love and respect him, 1Sam 18:13-16. Saul, in order to ensnare him, offers him his daughter in marriage, 1Sam 18:17-24; and requires a hundred foreskins of the Philistines for dowry; hoping that, in endeavoring to procure them, David might fall by the hands of the Philistines, 1Sam 18:25. David agrees to the conditions, fulfils them, and has Michal to wife, 1Sam 18:26-30.
Verse 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, 1 Samuel 17 (note).
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."