Bible Strands
1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jonathan transfers his personal garments and military equipment to David immediately after swearing a covenant of love between them. This exchange takes place in the royal court following David’s military success and his subsequent appointment over Saul’s forces.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּתְפַּשֵּׁ֣ (va/i.yit.pa.Shet) literally means “he stripped himself,” denoting Jonathan’s deliberate removal of his own robe before the handover. He then uses וַֽ/יִּתְּנֵ֖/הוּ (va/i.yi.te.Ne./hu), “and he gave it,” to complete the formal transfer of his tunic, sword, bow, and belt to David.
The thread — The motif of clothing as transferred status appears in Genesis 41:42 when Pharaoh clothes Joseph and in Esther 6:8 when the king orders a royal robe given to a honored servant. These passages establish a consistent biblical pattern where garments mark a change in authority or favor.
Why it lands — The text records a concrete transfer of protection and status from one warrior to another without embellishment. A reader must account for the tangible cost Jonathan incurs and the explicit covenant that precedes this material exchange.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And 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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
- Esther 6:8 have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head.
- Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.