The story of David and Jonathan — a king’s son gave up his claim to the throne to protect the very man who would take his place, and called him friend.
This account is found in 1 Samuel 18-20, after David defeated Goliath and came into King Saul’s service.
The Story of David and Jonathan
After David killed Goliath, he was brought before King Saul. Saul’s son Jonathan, the heir to the throne, felt his own soul knit to David’s. Jonathan loved David as himself, and the two made a covenant. Jonathan then stripped off his own robe and gave it to David, along with his garments, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
David went out and succeeded in everything Saul sent him to do, and the people praised him. Saul grew jealous and began to watch David with suspicion. His envy turned to hatred, and more than once Saul tried to strike David down with a spear.
At last Saul told Jonathan and all his servants that David should be killed. But Jonathan delighted in David and warned him, saying his father was seeking to take his life. Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul and, for a time, calmed the king’s anger.
When Saul’s rage returned, David and Jonathan agreed on a secret sign. Jonathan would go into the field and shoot arrows, and by his words about where the arrows fell, David would know whether it was safe to return. At the king’s feast Jonathan tested his father, and Saul raged, making it clear he meant to kill David.
Jonathan went out and shot the arrows as the signal of danger. Then he and David met one last time. David bowed himself to the ground three times, and the two friends kissed one another and wept. Jonathan sent David away in peace, and they held to the covenant they had sworn before the LORD.
Key Verses
“The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” 1 Samuel 18:1
“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul” 1 Samuel 18:3
“Jonathan stripped himself of the robe … and gave it to David” 1 Samuel 18:4
“Go in peace … The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever” 1 Samuel 20:42
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of David and Jonathan Teaches Us
The friendship of David and Jonathan shows loyalty that costs something. Jonathan stood to inherit the throne, yet he protected the man God had chosen to receive it, putting love and faithfulness above his own advantage.
It also shows the difference between Saul and his son. Where Saul let jealousy grow into hatred, Jonathan chose to honor and defend his friend, even against his own father and his own crown.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the story of David and Jonathan?
In 1 Samuel 18-20, Jonathan, King Saul’s son, loves David as his own soul and makes a covenant with him. When Saul turns jealous and tries to kill David, Jonathan warns and protects him, and the two friends part with tears and a promise of lasting friendship.
Why did Jonathan give David his robe and weapons?
Jonathan stripped off his own robe, sword, bow, and belt and gave them to David as a sign of his love and covenant, honoring David even though Jonathan was the king’s heir.
Why did Saul want to kill David?
Saul grew jealous because David succeeded in all he did and the people praised him. That jealousy turned into a desire to destroy him.
How did Jonathan protect David?
Jonathan warned David that Saul sought his life, spoke well of him to Saul, and used a sign with arrows shot in a field to tell David when it was no longer safe to stay.
Where is this story in the Bible?
It is found in 1 Samuel 18-20.