John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 23:18

"And they two made a covenant before Jehovah: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house." — 1 Samuel 23:18 (ASV)

And they two made a covenant before the Lord
Renewed the covenant they had before made in the name and fear of God, and before him as a witness of it. Kimchi and Abarbinel interpret this phrase,

before the Lord ,
of the covenant being made before Abiathar, with the Urim and Thummim in his hand; and so Jerom ^F16 , before Gad the prophet, and Abiathar who wore the ephod:

and David abode in the wood ;
being a proper place for him for secrecy and safety:

and Jonathan went to his house ;
in Gibeah; and these two dear and cordial friends never saw one another more, as is highly probable.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F16: Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 76. K.