C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 18:1-2

1Sa 18:1-2

The bond of friendship which Jonathan formed with David was so evidently the main point, that in 1Sa 18:1 the writer commences with the love of Jonathan to David, and then after that proceeds in 1Sa 18:2 to observe that Saul took David to himself from that day forward; whereas it is very evident that Saul told David, either at the time of his conversation with him or immediately afterwards, that he was henceforth to remain with him, i.e., in his service. “The soul of Jonathan bound itself (lit. chained itself; cf. Gen 44:30) to David’s soul, and Jonathan loved him as his soul.” The Chethibh ויּאהבו with the suffix ו attached to the imperfect is very rare, and hence the Keri ויּאהבהוּ (vid., Ewald, §249, b., and Olshausen, Gramm. p. 469). לשׁוּב, to return to his house, viz., to engage in his former occupation as shepherd.