What is more, Jonathan and David made a covenant, a solemn agreement, that bound them together as friends who would support each other.​—1 Samuel 18:​1-5.

The covenant they made was a real protection for their friendship. How so? You see, David knew what Jehovah had in store for him: He was to become the next king of Israel! Did he withhold that knowledge from Jonathan? Hardly! A good friendship such as theirs thrives on open communication, not on secrets and lies. How might learning of David’s prospects have affected Jonathan? What if Jonathan had cherished a hope of becoming king one day and righting his father’s wrongs? The Bible tells us nothing about any internal struggle Jonathan may have had; it tells only of what truly matters, Jonathan’s loyalty and his faith. He could see that Jehovah’s spirit was with David. (1 Samuel 16:​1, 11-​13) So Jonathan fulfilled his oath and continued to view David, not as his rival, but as his friend. Jonathan wanted to see Jehovah’s will done.