And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works [have been] to thee-ward very good:
Ver. 4. And Jonathan spake good of David.] Though to the hazard of his own life, as 1 Samuel 20:32; 1 Samuel 20:37. The picture of true friendship among the ancients was this, A fair young man, with head uncovered, with bosom open, so that his heart might be seen; whereupon was written, Longe, Prope, Far and Near. In his forehead was written, Aestas, Hyems, Summer and Winter; in the skirt of his garment, Mors et Vita, Death and Life.
And because his works have been to thee-ward very good.] To render evil for evil is brutish: but to render evil for good is devilish. Heathens abhorred ingratitude. Lycurgus would make no law against it, quod prodigiosa res esset beneficium non agnoscere, because he held it a thing monstrous and almost impossible.