John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that [was] upon him , etc.] As a token of his hearty love and true friendship, and that David might appear at court not in the habit of a shepherd, but in that of a prince: and gave it to David, and his garments ; his other garments besides his robe, and so clothed him from tip to toe, and which fitted him; for as there was a similarity in their souls, and the disposition of them, so in the make and hulk of their bodies, and in the stature of them: even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle ; these he gave him to accoutre himself with, that he might appear as a soldier, as well as like a prince, and as another Jonathan, or rather the same; that they might seem as one, as alike in body, so in garb and habit.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The friendship of David and Jonathan was the effect of Divine grace which produces in true believers one heart and one soul, and cause them to love each other. This union of souls is from partaking in the Spirit of Christ. Where God unites hearts, carnal matters are too wea to separate them. Those who love Christ as their own souls, will be willing to join themselves to him in an everlasting covenant. It wa certainly a great proof of the power of God's grace in David, that he was able to bear all this respect and honour, without being lifted u above measure.
Original Hebrew ויתפשׁט6584 יהונתן3083 את853 המעיל4598 אשׁר834 עליו5921 ויתנהו5414 לדוד1732 ומדיו4055 ועד5704 חרבו2719 ועד5704 קשׁתו7198 ועד5704 חגרו׃2290
