And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

And Jonathan swore again to David, because he loved him: for he loved him as his own soul.

and Jonathan addeth to cause David to swear, because he loveth him, for with the love of his own soul he hath loved him.

And Jonathan again took an oath to David, because of his love for him: for David was as dear to him as his very soul.

And Jonathan continued to swear to David, because he loved him. For he loved him like his own soul.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again,.... Or Jonathan added to make David swears (u); having sworn himself to make a covenant of friendship with David and his family, he moved and insisted on it, that David should swear to keep covenant with him, and his family:
because he loved him; it was not so much for the good and safety of his offspring that he made this motion, and was so desirous of renewing and enlarging his covenant with David, as it was his strong love and affection for him; being on that account desirous that there might be the strictest friendship imaginable retained between the two families; or he made him swear by his love to him, as some understand it, which is not so likely; the former sense is better, for he himself sware by the Lord, 1-Samuel 20:12,
for he loved him as his own soul; or "with the love of his soul" (w); with the most cordial affection, with a truly hearty and sincere love, see 1-Samuel 18:1.
(u) "et addidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so the Tigurine version. (w) "secundum dilectionem animae suae", Pagninus; "amore sui ipsius", Junius & Tremellius.

"And Jonathan adjured David again by his love to him, because he loved him as his own soul" (cf. 1-Samuel 18:1, 1-Samuel 18:3); i.e., he once more implored David most earnestly with an oath to show favour to him and his house.

Swear again - Hebrews. and Jonathan added or proceeded to make David swear; that is, having himself sworn to David or adjured David, in the foregoing verse, he here requires David's oath to him, by way of restipulation or confirmation. Loved him - Because he had a true friendship for David, he desired that the covenant might be inviolably observed through all their generations.