Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even including his sword, his bow, and his sash.
- KJV And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
- BSB And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
- NKJV And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
- NASB Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his military gear, including his sword, his bow, and his belt.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jonathan gives David his robe, armor, and weapons. The royal prince symbolically transfers his princely standing to David.
Overview
Jonathan strips off his own robe and military gear and gives them to David, a striking act of self-divestment. As the heir, his robe and weapons signified his status, and handing them over symbolically yields his royal claim to David. This selfless gesture anticipates how Jonathan will repeatedly honor David as God's chosen king above himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Gen 41:42Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck,
- Esth 6:8–9let royal clothing be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set.
- Isa 61:10I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Luke 15:22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
- Phil 2:7–8but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- 2 Cor 5:21For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 18:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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