Image Details

The Pierpont Morgan Library/Art Resource, NY

Cloak and dagger, and tunic, belt and bow, too—King Saul’s son Jonathan gave them all to David, who helps the crown prince pull his tunic over his head (at right) in this mid-13th-century French manuscript illumination. In receiving the garb of the heir apparent, David also gained the claim to the throne that the clothing symbolizes. Immediately after David donned the prince’s dress, Saul put David “in command of all the soldiers” (1 Samuel 18:5).

At left appears an earlier scene in which David presents the head of Goliath to Saul.