We have already seen that Jonathan was a man of faith and courage ( 1 Samuel 14:1-15). Jonathan found a soul brother in David, a man who committed himself to trusting and obeying God as he did. This common purpose on the deepest level of life is what accounts for the love Jonathan and David shared for one another ( 1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan loved David as he loved himself ( 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel 18:3; cf. Leviticus 19:18). He loved David, as he should have, since David had committed himself to glorifying God and fulfilling His will even at the expense of his personal safety. [source][source][source]
Some homosexuals have tried to use the writer"s statements of Jonathan"s love for David as support that their lifestyle has good biblical precedent. [1] However the Hebrew word "aheb, translated "love" here, nowhere else describes homosexual desire or activity. Rather, when homosexual relations are in view, the Holy Spirit used the word yada, translated "know" in the sense of "have sex with" (cf. Genesis 19:5; Judges 19:22). [source][source][source]
Saul responded to Jonathan"s affection for David, and presumably David"s bravery, by keeping David with him even more than the king had done previously ( 1 Samuel 18:2; cf. 1 Samuel 14:52). Evidently Jonathan realized David"s gifts and God"s will for David"s life (cf. 1 Samuel 23:17), and he humbly deferred to him ( 1 Samuel 18:3-4). [source][source][source]
"This is a virtual abdication by Jonathan, the crown prince." [2][source]
The crown prince of Israel gives us one of the classic examples of self-humbling for the glory of God and the welfare of His people that we have in all of Scripture (cf. Philippians 2:5-8). Jonathan"s humility is all the more remarkable since chronological references in Samuel seem to indicate that Jonathan was about30 years older than David. [3] His response to David"s anointing was appropriate, and it contrasts sharply with Saul"s response, which follows. [source][source][source]
". . . when Jonathan took off his robe (a symbol of the Israelite kingdom; cf. 1 Samuel 15:27-28...) and gave it to David ( 1 Samuel 18:4), he was in effect transferring his own status as heir apparent to him..." [4][source]
"The covenant of friendship referred to in 1 Samuel 18:3 was a unilateral (binding on one party only) covenant in which Jonathan committed himself to David with complete disregard for self. The gift given by Jonathan served to ratify the covenant and honor David." [5][source]
Jonathan"s selfless action reflects his submission to Samuel"s oracle that Saul would not have a continuing dynasty ( 1 Samuel 13:13-14). Rather than trying to perpetuate Saul"s dynasty, as Abner later tried to do ( 2 Samuel 2:8-9), godly Jonathan turned over the symbols of the crown prince to David. [source][source][source]
"In our political world, where power plays such an important role, what would be thought of a prince who voluntarily renounced his throne in favor of a friend whose character and godly faith he admired?" [6][source]
David"s commitment to God resulted in his prospering (the fertility motif). David acted wisely, the literal meaning of the Hebrew word translated "prospered" ( 1 Samuel 18:5; 1 Samuel 18:14-15), also because God was with him ( 1 Samuel 18:12; 1 Samuel 18:14; cf. 1 Samuel 16:13). Not only did Jonathan love David, but all the people, including even Saul"s servants, those people who were most loyal to the king, did too ( 1 Samuel 18:5). God blesses personally those who relate to Him properly. They also become channels of blessing to others (cf. 1 Samuel 2:30; Genesis 12:2). [source][source][source]
Saul may or may not have known at this time that Samuel had anointed David. His growing jealousy seems to have mounted as a result of David"s increasing ability, success, and popularity with the people that stemmed from God"s help (grace). [source][source][source]