Found Family: David & Jonathan, part 1 [1 Samuel 18:1-6]

The exchange of clothing between Jonathan and David is similar to the Greek custom of xenia, in which gifts are exchanged to solidify a bond of guest-friendship.  Note that men across multiple cultures in the ancient world often had deep, loving and affectionate friendships with their peers. There was no shame or stigma in expressing love and support to one another. 

 

et factum est cum conplesset loqui ad Saul 

anima Ionathan conligata est animae David 

et dilexit eum Ionathan quasi animam suam

 tulitque eum Saul in die illa 

et non concessit ei ut reverteretur in domum patris sui 

inierunt autem Ionathan et David foedus 

diligebat enim eum quasi animam suam 

nam expoliavit se Ionathan tunicam qua erat vestitus et dedit eam David 

et reliqua vestimenta sua usque ad gladium et arcum suum et usque ad balteum

egrediebatur quoque David ad omnia quaecumque misisset eum Saul 

et prudenter se agebat 

posuitque eum Saul super viros belli et 

acceptus erat in oculis universi populi maximeque in conspectu famulorum Saul.

--1 Samuel 19:1-6

And it happened that when David had finished speaking with King Saul, Jonathan’s soul united with the soul of David, and Jonathan cherished him as if he were his own soul. On that day, King Saul took in David and did not allow him to return to his father’s household. Jonathan and David entered into a bond, for he loved him as if he were his own soul. And Jonathan took off his own shirt he was wearing and gave it to David, and clothed him in his own clothes, even his own sword and bow and war belt. And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and David performed his tasks wisely, and Saul gave him management over his warriors. David was well respected in the eyes of the entire nation, especially in the servants of Saul’s own household.