“After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.”
I Samuel 18:1-4
It seems that Saul met with David immediately after the altercation with Goliath, a sort of debriefing. I can still see David carrying the decapitated head of the Philistine warrior. It would’ve been a bloody sight.
After this meeting with Saul, he was no longer just a shepherd; David was now a warrior.
There is something else–a new development, a commitment, or a covenant between David and Jonathan. Something significant happened there, and like most matters of the heart, it was difficult to explain. Some might think it was erotic, but that sullies and distorts this relationship. No, it was far more than that.
Men generally avoid real friendship. In my 65 years I can think of 1-2 similar connections that approach this kind of depth or attachment. Almost all of my friends are more or less superficial. I rarely press beyond this. Maybe it’s kind of scary?
David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king. He had been chosen to wield the power and authority of Israel with humility and grace. David knew it, but Jonathan saw it.
I believe that Jonathan’s calling was perhaps more difficult: he had to yield the throne to David. Jonathan had to renounce ambition and pride. He would turn his back on his ego and drive. He would never be king. (Some would destroy themselves before we did this.)
The text reveals some of the “covenant love” between these two men. Jonathan sheds off the trappings of his identity and gives them to David. In doing so, David is declared to be the future king.
Jonathan commits to serving David. In his mind he rejects the notion of a hereditary monarchy. Being the king of Israel must be one of anointing, not who your father is. Both men recognize this implicitly.
From this point on, David has the complete support of Jonathan for the rest of their lives.
King David 101 
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