David and Jonathan
The son of King Saul becomes David's closest friend, protecting him from his own father's jealous rage.
1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 20:1-42
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The Story
After David killed Goliath, Jonathan the son of Saul became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him, and he gave David his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt—a prince giving his royal garments to a shepherd.
But as David's fame grew, so did Saul's jealousy. 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,' the women sang. Saul was furious. From that time on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David, and twice tried to kill him with a spear.
David fled and found Jonathan. 'What have I done? What is my crime? Why is your father trying to kill me?'
'Never!' Jonathan protested. 'My father doesn't do anything without telling me. He wouldn't hide this from me.'
'Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes,' David replied. 'He said to himself, "Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved." As surely as the Lord lives, there is only a step between me and death.'
Jonathan agreed to find out his father's intentions. They made a plan involving arrows as signals. Jonathan would shoot arrows near where David was hiding; his words to the servant boy retrieving them would tell David whether it was safe or not.
At the new moon feast, Saul noticed David's absence and grew suspicious. When Jonathan defended David, Saul hurled his spear at his own son. Now Jonathan knew—his father was determined to kill David.
In the morning, Jonathan went out to the field with a young boy. He shot an arrow beyond the boy and called out, 'Isn't the arrow beyond you? Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!' These were the words that meant danger.
After the boy left, David came out from hiding. He bowed before Jonathan three times with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.
Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, "The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever."'
David left, and Jonathan went back to town. Their friendship would endure beyond death itself.
Best Friends Forever
Kids Version
After David beat Goliath, he met Prince Jonathan—King Saul's son. Something amazing happened: they became BEST friends. The Bible says Jonathan loved David like his own soul.
Jonathan gave David special gifts: his royal robe, his sword, his bow, even his belt! A prince giving his stuff to a shepherd boy—that's how much Jonathan loved David.
But there was a problem. King Saul got JEALOUS of David. When people sang about how great David was, Saul got angry. He started trying to hurt David!
David was scared. He ran to Jonathan. 'Your dad is trying to kill me! What did I do wrong?'
Jonathan couldn't believe it. 'My father would tell me if he wanted to hurt you!'
But David was right. They made a secret plan to find out the truth. Jonathan would go to dinner with his father. If Saul got angry about David, Jonathan would warn him with a secret signal using arrows.
At dinner, Saul asked, 'Where's David?'
Jonathan made an excuse for his friend. Saul got SO angry, he threw his SPEAR at his own son!
Now Jonathan knew. His father really did want to kill David.
The next morning, Jonathan went to the field where David was hiding. He shot arrows and called out the secret danger signal. David understood—he had to run away.
The two friends said goodbye. They hugged and cried. They promised to be friends forever, and that their families would be kind to each other always.
Jonathan could have been jealous of David—after all, David would become king instead of him. But Jonathan wasn't jealous. He loved his friend and protected him, even against his own father.
That's what true friendship looks like!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (KJV)
1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4And 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.
Memory Verse
“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
— 1 Samuel 18:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “David and Jonathan” in the Bible?
The son of King Saul becomes David's closest friend, protecting him from his own father's jealous rage. This story is found in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 20:1-42.
Where is “David and Jonathan” found in the Bible?
“David and Jonathan” is found in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 20:1-42, in the book of 1 Samuel.
What can children learn from “David and Jonathan”?
This story teaches children about Friendship, Loyalty, Sacrifice. Jonathan was a prince, and David was a shepherd. But they became the best of friends. Jonathan even protected David when his own father, King Saul, wanted to hurt him.