The story of David and Jonathan in the Bible

by Isabelle Esling published author-certified teacher-

« As soon as he finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house . Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. »

1 Samuel 18:1-4

The substantial friendship that united David and Jonathan is reported in the Book of Samuel.

The closeness between both men is also a story of loyalty. When our friend's soul is mirrored in our own soul, we are very close to the full meaning of the world « ahava », love, in Hebrew, in its unconditional, divine dimension.

The Book of Samuel insists twice in the same paragraph that Jonathan loved David as his own soul.

David's life was put in jeopardy because of Saul's tremendous jealousy and Jonathan, Saul's son, saved his friend's life several times as told in 1 Samuel 19 and 1 Samuel 20.

In his lament at Jonathan's death, David described his friend's love as « surpassing the love of women ».

A lot of people are currently distorting the story of David and Jonathan in order to promote false values of « tolerance » and homosexual unions. One should avoid confusing love with lust, loyalty with sexual interest.

This biblical episode does not imply any erotic relationship between both men.

One should carefully replace this friendship into a Hebrew context.

David and Jonathan were practicing Israelites ; the Torah prohibits homosexuality and there are no exceptions to it.

The following Jewish interpretation summarizes the bond that united David and Jonathan quite well :

Whenever love depends on some selfish end, when the end passes away, the love passes away; but if it does not depend on some selfish end, it will never pass away. Which love depended on a selfish end? This was the love of Amnon and Tamar. And which did not depend on a selfish end? This was the love of David and Jonathan. (Avot 5:15)