At the beginning of verse 1, Good News Translation seems to make a complete break between the opening temporal clause and what follows, while Revised Standard Version seems to relate the two, as does the Hebrew. There seems to be little if any difference in meaning either way, and translators will have to determine which is best for their language. A significant difference exists, however, between the ways that verses 1 and 2 are related in Revised English Bible, which combines the verses as follows: “ That same day, when Saul had finished talking with David, he kept him and would not let him return any more to his father’s house, for he saw that Jonathan had given his heart to David and had grown to love him as himself.” This translation is certainly a possible way of understanding the implicit relationship between these two verses, but no other translation consulted reflects this interpretation.

The pronoun he refers to David, who was speaking in the last verse of chapter 17.

The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David: this Hebrew idiom is found also in Gen 44.30, where it speaks of Benjamin’s relationship to his father; the idiom expresses the idea of great affection. Revised English Bible renders these words “Jonathan had given his heart to David,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “Jonathan felt an instant affection for David.” But according to some interpreters these renderings sound too one-sided, as if David may not have felt the same way toward Jonathan. The expression possibly suggests a more mutual affection. Contemporary English Version retains the idea of two-way sentiment by translating “David and Jonathan became best friends.” While there is evidence that David cared for Jonathan, the emphasis throughout most of the story is on Jonathan’s love for David.

Jonathan: Good News Translation reminds the reader that Jonathan was “Saul’s son.” This has not been stated in the text since chapter 14, so it may be a good idea to add this implied information at this point.

Loved him as his own soul: that is, Jonathan loved David “as much as he loved himself.” That Jonathan loved David is stated again in verse 3 and in 2 Sam 1.26.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .