David and Jonathan Bible Story for Kids.
David and Jonathan is one of the most moving friendship stories in all of Scripture. It shows children what it looks like to be a truly loyal friend, someone who puts the other person's good before their own.
Retold by Hannah Whitford · 1 Samuel 18–20 · Updated July 2026
The Story of David and Jonathan Bible Story for Kids
This story works especially well for early elementary children who are beginning to navigate friendships, loyalty, and what it means to care about someone else's wellbeing. The friendship between David and Jonathan is striking because Jonathan had every reason to be jealous of David, but he chose loyalty instead.
“When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
1 Samuel 18:1
“Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even including his sword, his bow, and his sash.”
1 Samuel 18:4
“Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the LORD’s name, saying, ‘The LORD is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.”
1 Samuel 20:42
Quotations from the World English Bible (public domain). Read the full passage together in your own family Bible. The reference is 1 Samuel 18–20.
Dear God, thank You for giving us friends. Help us be the kind of friend David and Jonathan were to each other: loyal, honest, and brave enough to do what is right. Amen.
David and Jonathan teaches children that the best friendships are built on loyalty, honesty, and choosing the other person's good, even when it is hard. True friendship is a gift worth protecting.
- 01The idea of a prince giving his own royal robe to a shepherd boy captures children's imagination immediately.
- 02The story shows that true friendship is brave. Jonathan stood up for David even when it was costly.
- 03Children who are navigating difficult friendships or social situations find the story practically relevant.
- 04The covenant promise is a concrete, memorable image of what loyalty looks like.
Keep the story going.
The story doesn’t have to end at the last page. Print it, memorize it, or read the next one together.
“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”
1 Samuel 18:3 · WEB
Take this story to the shelf.
A beautifully illustrated Bible storybook that presents every story as part of God's great rescue plan. Perfect for bedtime with its gentle, lyrical storytelling.
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Books that pair with this story.
Hand-picked after careful research, the ones we recommend most alongside this story.
Ages 4-8 yearsThe Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
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A beautifully illustrated Bible storybook that presents every story as part of God's great rescue plan. Perfect for bedtime with its gentle, lyrical storytelling.
Ages 2-6 yearsThe Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories
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Classic Bible stories retold in simple language with bright, engaging illustrations. Short stories perfect for winding down before sleep.
Ages 5-12 yearsThe Biggest Story Bible Storybook
by Kevin DeYoung
A beautifully illustrated storybook that presents the Bible as one continuous story. Rich illustrations and thoughtful storytelling.
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The kind of things parents wonder.
The lesson is about what true friendship looks like: loyalty, courage, and putting your friend's wellbeing before your own interests. Jonathan chose David's safety over his own comfort and even his relationship with his father.
Conversation starters.
Questions to ask after you read together. No right answers, just good conversation.
Jonathan gave David his royal robe and weapons. What do you think that meant to them both?
Jonathan could have been king, but he chose his friendship with David instead. Would that be hard for you?
What makes someone a really true friend, one who stays even when it costs them something?
Has a friend ever done something kind for you that you didn't expect? How did it feel?
Teaching this story.
- 01Read David and Goliath first if your child doesn't know it. Jonathan's generosity only makes sense once kids understand that David was the new hero everyone was singing about, including at Jonathan's expense.
- 02Pause at the robe. Ask your child to name the single favorite thing they own, then ask what it would take to hand it to a friend. That question is the door into everything else in this story.
- 03When kids ask why Saul was so mean, name it simply: jealousy, the same feeling as when a friend wins the prize you wanted. That keeps Saul human and gives the story an everyday handle without turning him into a cartoon villain.
- 04The arrow signal in 1 Samuel 20 plays like a spy code, and elementary kids love it. Younger children just need “Jonathan warned his friend of danger”; older ones can trace how the secret message actually worked.
The secret arrow signal
Make three arrows from drinking straws or rolled paper, with taped-on paper points and feathers. Then play the scene from 1 Samuel 20 in the hallway or yard: one player shoots and calls out the coded message while the other hides and listens. Kids grasp what Jonathan risked once they have been the friend crouching behind the couch.
A promise between friends
Fold two paper cards, and inside each have your child write or draw one promise to a friend: I will tell you the truth, I will stick up for you. One card is theirs to keep and one to give away, just as David and Jonathan each carried the other's promise for the rest of their lives.
More stories from the library.
Keep exploring.
Bible Stories in Chronological Order for Kids
See where this story fits in the full Genesis-to-Revelation reading plan: 21 stories in order with summaries, ages, and a free printable.
Browse →David and Goliath
Read the earlier part of David's story, the battle that first brought him to King Saul's court.
Browse →Old Testament Bible Stories
Explore more foundational Old Testament stories for children and families.
Browse →These Bible story retellings are based directly on Scripture and written for children ages 3–10. Each page includes its Scripture reference so families can read the original passage together. Content is reviewed by the Childhood Bible Stories editorial team.