David and Jonathan Were Married

Swedish blogger Michael G. Helders says the Bible is clear about what a marriage is, that it could never be anything but a union of one man and one woman. I beg to differ. Let us take a closer look at 1 Samuel 18:1-4:

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

What is described here is a wedding ceremony. Jonathan—the son of Saul—and David are in love and make a covenant with one another. Saul decides that it would be wrong to send David back to his father’s house now that the young man belongs to the family. As is the case of most marriage contracts, the covenant of Jonathan and David is confirmed by physical intimacy, which is implied by Jonathan undressing in front of David, an act that goes far beyond any kind of non-sexual friendship.

(Seen in the picture are three Christian icons portraying David and Jonathan.)