1 Samuel 23:18
And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּכְרְת֧וּ
made
H3772
וַיִּכְרְת֧וּ
made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 11
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרִ֖ית
a covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֖ית
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
3 of 11
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב
abode
H3427
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב
abode
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה
in the wood
H2793
בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה
in the wood
Strong's:
H2793
Word #:
8 of 11
a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric)
Cross References
1 Samuel 20:42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.1 Samuel 18:3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.2 Samuel 21:7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.2 Samuel 9:1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
Historical Context
This was the third recorded covenant between David and Jonathan (18:3; 20:16-17, 42). Each renewal came at a critical juncture. The wilderness setting made this covenant particularly poignant, ratified amid danger rather than celebration.
Questions for Reflection
- What covenants or commitments have sustained you through separation from loved ones?
- How does this final meeting between David and Jonathan model faithfulness amid uncertainty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
This covenant renewal deepens their bond at a critical moment. The Hebrew 'vayikhretu sheinehem berit' (they two cut a covenant) employs the traditional covenant-making language. The phrase 'before the LORD' (liphnei Yahweh) invokes divine witness and guarantee. After this sacred moment, their paths diverge—David to continued hiding, Jonathan to his father's house. They would never meet again; Jonathan would die with Saul at Gilboa. This final covenant stands as the capstone of their friendship, a solemn commitment maintained until death. The scene models how covenant relationships sustain through separation and uncertainty.