And I shall be next unto, &c.— i.e. "The "next person to thee in thy kingdom." And they too made a covenant before the Lord; that is, solemnly renewed the covenant which they had formerly made. Jonathan's conduct in this remarkable transaction appears truly disinterested, generous, and great. He could not now be ignorant of David's destination to the throne of Israel by the will of God, and knew that nothing could prevent his succession to it, as God had appointed it. In such a situation how does he act? He scorns by fraud and violence to attempt the life of the man whom God had fixed on to be king, even in preference to himself; but seeks him out in the wilderness, where his father was hunting him to destruction, and strengthens his hand in God: not by promising to assist him in dispossessing his father of the kingdom, or disturbing and distressing his government; not by entering into any conspiracy or plot with him against his father's interest and honour; but by comforting him under his cruel persecution, and assuring him of God's protection from the hand or power of his father, his future advancement to the crown, and his own confidence in David's friendship, that he should be advanced to the highest honours in his court. He lets him know also, that Saul his father very well knew that David should be his successor; and that Jonathan said the truth in this, is evident from what Saul himself said to David but a little while after, chap. 1 Samuel 24:20. In this whole affair, therefore, between Jonathan and David, nothing passed but what was perfectly consistent with the allegiance and duty of these two eminent friends to their common sovereign and father: there was no treason talked of; no event spoken of, but what was known to Saul equally as to Jonathan: not any treasonable measures concerted to precipitate and hasten the event before the proper season appointed by Providence; nor any covenant entered into by Jonathan to engage with David in any common cause against his own father. David's succession to the crown after Saul, as we have said above, was well known both to Saul and Jonathan: and the only circumstance in which Jonathan's conduct differed from his father's was, that, with respect to an event which both of them foresaw would come to pass, Jonathan was for quietly submitting to it, as an appointment of God; while Saul was for practising every expedient to prevent it, if possible.
Note; (1.) The words of a pious friend are a reviving cordial to a fainting heart. (2.) Where true love is, even kingdoms are not too great to part with. (3.) Renewed engagements are a strengthening to the bands of friendship; and the friend of Jesus is glad of every opportunity to repeat his vows of fidelity to him.