שמואל א, פרק כ׳, פסוק י״ז

A profound bond of friendship can transcend the natural human instinct for power and position. The renewal of the covenant between Jonathan and David highlights the extraordinary depth of their emotional connection. Jonathan initiates a renewed commitment, an act driven entirely by the intensity of his feelings rather than any doubt or insecurity. He does not ask for another promise out of fear that David might break his previous word. Instead, the repeated request serves to firmly establish a lasting peace between them, rooted in their profound connection [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This act stems from pure love, completely untouched by jealousy. Even though David is destined to take the throne, Jonathan harbors no envy. On the contrary, he actively desires David's success and freely chooses him as the future leader of Israel [אברבנאל]. Furthermore, Jonathan actually finds joy in simply discussing and reaffirming their pact. He possesses a clear understanding that David will ultimately become king and will then be in a position of power to show him kindness [מצודת דוד].

The deep affection they share is not merely the motivation behind this renewed promise; it forms the very substance of the oath itself. A unique perspective suggests that Jonathan asks David to swear by the actual love that exists between them. Because Jonathan loves David as much as his own life, swearing by this love is equivalent to swearing by his own soul. This transforms the promise into the most powerful and binding oath imaginable [מלבי״ם].