And Saul’s son Jonathan
The mention of "Saul’s son Jonathan" immediately places this narrative within the context of a complex relationship. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a figure of loyalty and friendship, despite his father’s animosity towards David. The Hebrew name "Jonathan" (יְהוֹנָתָן) means "Yahweh has given," which is fitting as Jonathan is portrayed as a divine gift of friendship to David. His actions are a testament to the power of covenantal friendship, transcending familial and political tensions.

came to David
The phrase "came to David" signifies a deliberate and courageous action. Jonathan’s journey to David, who is in hiding, underscores his commitment and bravery. In the historical context, this act of coming to David is fraught with danger, as Saul is actively seeking David’s life. Jonathan’s visit is an act of defiance against his father’s unjust pursuit, highlighting the biblical theme of righteousness over familial allegiance.

in Horesh
"Horesh" refers to a wooded area in the Wilderness of Ziph. This location is significant as it represents a place of refuge and seclusion for David. Archaeologically, the Wilderness of Ziph is a rugged terrain, providing natural protection. Theologically, Horesh symbolizes the trials and isolation that often accompany God’s anointed, yet it is also a place where divine encounters and strengthening occur.

and strengthened his hand
The phrase "strengthened his hand" is a Hebrew idiom (חִזֵּק אֶת־יָדוֹ) meaning to encourage or support. Jonathan’s encouragement is not merely emotional but is deeply spiritual. In the biblical narrative, the "hand" often symbolizes power and action. By strengthening David’s hand, Jonathan is empowering him to continue in his God-given mission, despite the adversity he faces.

in God
The phrase "in God" is the crux of this verse. Jonathan’s encouragement is rooted not in human wisdom or strength but in divine assurance. The Hebrew word for God here is "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים), emphasizing the majesty and power of God. Jonathan’s support directs David’s focus back to God’s promises and faithfulness. This divine-centered encouragement is a reminder of the biblical truth that true strength and courage come from reliance on God, not on human means.

(16) And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David.--Some have wished to show that the account of the last interview between the friends really belongs to the secret meeting between David and Jonathan recounted in 1 Samuel 20, and that it has got transposed; but such a view is quite untenable, for the narrative here is circumstantial, and even mentions the scene of the interview--"the wood," or, less probable, the town named "Horesh." The expression "strengthened his hand in God" is added by the narrator to show how sorely tried was the king of the future at this juncture, notwithstanding that so many gallant spirits rallied round him. The determined and relentless hostility of the king of the land, his sovereign, and once his friend--the apparent hopelessness of his struggle--the cruel ingratitude of whole bodies of his fellow countrymen, such as the men of Ziph--his homeless, outlawed condition: all these things naturally weighed upon the nervous and enthusiastic temperament of David, which was soon depressed. His sad forebodings in his desolateness and loneliness at this time are breathed forth in not a few of the Psalms which tradition ascribes to him. At such a juncture the warm sympathy, the steady onlook to a sunnier future of one like Jonathan was a real help to David. Jonathan was far-sighted enough when David's fortunes were at their lowest ebb to look confidently forward to a time when all these thick dark clouds of trouble should have passed away. Jonathan, we know (1Samuel 20:14-15) possessed sufficient confidence in David's future fortune even to ask the hunted exile to remember him, the prince, with kindness when he should have come into his kingdom. Such warm sympathy, such glowing trustful words, we may well imagine, raised the spirits of the outlaw, and gave him new courage to face the grave difficulties of his dangerous position.

Verses 16-18. - Jonathan... went to David into the wood. To Horesh, as in ver. 15. This visit suggests two things: the first, that, after the scene in 1 Samuel 22:8, Saul was estranged from his son, and treated him harshly, regarding him as a fellow conspirator with David; the second, that there was a growing conviction, not only in Jonathan's mind, but generally, that Jehovah had transferred the kingdom from Saul to David, and that consequently David's final success was inevitable. He strengthened his (David's) hand in God. Such a visit, and the expression of Jonathan's strong conviction that Jehovah was with David, must necessarily have had a powerful moral effect upon his mind. Under such trying circumstances David must often have been tempted to despair; but the assurance of Jonathan's unbroken love for him, and the knowledge that he and many more regarded him as chosen by God to be Israel's king, would revive his courage and make him content to bear the hardships of his present lot. I shall be next unto thee. Had he not been killed in Mount Gilboa, it seems that, unlike Ishbosheth, Jonathan would have resigned all claim to the crown. But the feeling must often have distressed David, that the kingdom could become his only by dispossessing his true and unselfish friend. Nor would such a regret be altogether removed by Jonathan's ready acquiescence in it as God's will, though, as next to him, and beloved as he deserved, his position as the king's friend would have been a not unenviable one. Still, to be second where by right of inheritance he should have been first would have been a very trying lot, and it was better for Jonathan that he should die a soldier's death, even granting that he would have felt a lively joy in David's success and the glory of his empire. But their love was to be exposed to no vicissitudes, and the two friends parted never to meet again - David remaining at Horesh, while Jonathan returned to his home at Gibeah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
וַיָּ֙קָם֙ (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

Saul’s
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

Jonathan
יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

came
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

in Horesh
חֹ֑רְשָׁה (ḥō·rə·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2793: Horesh -- a forest

and strengthened
וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק (way·ḥaz·zêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

his hand
יָד֖וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

in God,
בֵּאלֹהִֽים׃ (bê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 1 Samuel 23:16 Jonathan Saul's son arose and went (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)