1S18-1: Were Jonathan And David In A Homosexual Relationship With Each Other?

Today we begin 1st Samuel Chapter 18.

For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.

For the King James Bible, click HERE.

“By the time David had finished speaking to Sha’ul, Y’honatan found himself inwardly drawn by David’s character, so that Y’honatan loved him as he did himself.”-1 Samuel 18:1

Before we dive into our text study, it bears repeating that chapter divisions in the Bible are purely arbitrary.

No time has elapsed since the end of chapter 17 and the beginning of chapter 18.

At the end of chapter 17, we have this conversation between David, Saul, and Abner about who David’s father is, and then the opening verse of chapter 18 says “By the time David had finished speaking to Saul”.

Understand it’s the same scene here.

The conversation has ended and we’re told that Jonathan was so impressed with David’s character that he became one in spirit with him, and he loved him as himself.

Okay, we need to address this verse, because a lot of liberal scholars and pastors think this is speaking about a homosexual love affair between David and Jonathan, and I’m here to tell you that is NOT the case.

Let me remind you the Torah condemns homosexuality at the highest level.

Second, the Hebrew word for “love” here is AHAB or אַהַב.

It has nothing do to with mushy romantic or erotic feelings.

It’s more about a strong bond or loyalty that exists between best friends.

Also, consider the fact the verse says Jonathan loved David like he loved himself.

Does it make sense that Jonathan was in a homosexual relationship with himself?

That would really be a twisted and perverse interpretation of this verse.

Look, in the book of Leviticus, we’re told this:

“Don’t take vengeance on or
bear a grudge against any of
your people; rather, love your
neighbor as yourself;
I am ADONAI.”
-Leviticus 19:18

It’s a Biblical principle that we’re supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves.

God isn’t commanding us to go have sex with our neighbors in this verse.

Ya feel me?

Here’s another important thing to notice about this verse.

It’s talking about what you DO, your ACTIONS, and your BEHAVIOR.

It’s NOT talking about your feelings for other people even though those things are related.

I’ll just leave you with this quote from the book “God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says” written by Michael Coogan.

“Like Hiram and David, Jonathan and David were covenant partners, “brothers” who loved each other, but despite the claims of some gay activists, they were not sexual partners.”

In case you don’t know who Michael Coogan is, you should.

He’s a prominent American scholar in Biblical studies, world-famous for his expertise in biblical archaeology and the Hebrew Bible.

In addition to the above-mentioned “God and Sex” book, he’s published a ton of other stuff including “The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction,” and was involved in Middle Eastern excavations.

His strength is bridging academia and public understanding of ancient texts and his work has no doubt shaped modern understanding of Biblical narratives and their historical context.

Alrighty, that does it for today.