So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh, while Jonathan went to his house.
Parallel translations
- WEB They both made a covenant before Yahweh. Then David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his house.
- KJV And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
- BSB So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.
- NKJV So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.
- NLT So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh.
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
David and Jonathan renew their covenant before the LORD, then part ways.
Overview
The two friends reaffirm their covenant in the LORD's presence, then Jonathan returns home while David stays in the woods. This is their last recorded meeting, sealing a bond rooted in faith and loyalty. Their covenant before Yahweh shows friendship grounded in God, a relationship that outlasts danger and even death.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Sam 21:7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
- 1 Sam 18:3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
- 1 Sam 20:42Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.
- 2 Sam 9:1David said, “Is there yet any who is left of Saul’s house, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
- 1 Sam 20:12–17Jonathan said to David, “By Yahweh, the God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, won’t I then send to you, and disclose it to you?
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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 23:18 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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