1 Samuel 19 4

1 Samuel 19:4 kjv

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

1 Samuel 19:4 nkjv

Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.

1 Samuel 19:4 niv

Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly.

1 Samuel 19:4 esv

And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.

1 Samuel 19:4 nlt

The next morning Jonathan spoke with his father about David, saying many good things about him. "The king must not sin against his servant David," Jonathan said. "He's never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could.

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 4 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 19:4, Jonathan directly and skillfully appeals to his father, King Saul, advocating for David. He articulates that Saul should not commit a sin against David, presenting two compelling reasons: David's impeccable innocence, as he has committed no offense against Saul, and the undeniable fact that David's actions have been exceptionally advantageous and beneficial to the king and the kingdom. Jonathan highlights David's integrity and his invaluable contributions as grounds for preserving his life and ceasing the unfounded persecution.

1 Samuel 19 4 Context

1 Samuel chapter 19 unfolds immediately after King Saul's increasingly virulent jealousy and paranoia against David reach a boiling point in chapter 18. Saul had witnessed David's immense popularity after his victory over Goliath, and observed the Lord's clear favor upon David, even as God's Spirit departed from him. This led Saul to attempt David's life multiple times directly with a spear, and indirectly through perilous military assignments. By chapter 19, Saul’s rage has escalated to the point where he explicitly commands his son Jonathan and all his servants to murder David (1 Sam 19:1). Jonathan, who had already formed a deep, covenantal friendship with David and loved him as his own soul (1 Sam 18:1-3), finds himself in an agonizing position between loyalty to his father and fidelity to his friend, and implicitly, to God’s plan for David. Verse 4 details Jonathan’s brave and calculated effort to intercede on David’s behalf, appealing to Saul's reason and a residual sense of justice. This verse is pivotal as it highlights Jonathan’s unwavering righteousness, his strategic wisdom, and the escalating nature of Saul's decline, setting the stage for David’s subsequent flight and a long period of exile.

1 Samuel 19 4 Word analysis

• Jonathan: (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehōnātān) - "The LORD has given" or "Gift of the LORD." Jonathan is more than just Saul's son; he is a man of valor, loyalty, and deep faith. His name itself points to God's providence, underscoring his spiritual insight to recognize God's hand on David even as his own birthright to the throne was diminishing. His actions throughout Samuel highlight a spiritual alignment with God's will above familial duty.

• spoke well of: (Hebrew: וַיְדַבֵּר דָּוִד, waydəbbēr dāvid) - Literally, "spoke David." The phrase "spoke well" is implied by the context of a favorable plea. The verb dibbēr (to speak, declare) indicates a direct and forceful articulation, not mere suggestion. This stands in stark contrast to Saul's increasingly unholy words and commands.

• Saul his father: Highlights the familial bond Jonathan had to navigate. His loyalty was tested between earthly father and a spiritual brother chosen by God.

• and said to him: Emphasizes direct address and a personal confrontation with the king.

• Let not the king sin: (Hebrew: אַל-יֶחֱטָא הַמֶּלֶךְ, ʾal-yeḥeṭāʾ hammɛlɛḵ) - This is a strong, negative imperative, expressing a warning against committing sin.

  • sin: (Hebrew: חָטָא, ḥāṭāʾ) - "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to commit an offense." Here, it signifies not just a personal wrong against David, but a serious moral transgression, likely understood as an offense against God, given that David is the Lord's anointed and God's favor is evident on him. Killing an innocent person chosen by God would be a profound act of impiety.
  • the king: Jonathan appeals to Saul’s identity as king, reminding him of his royal duty to uphold justice and protect his subjects, not persecute the innocent.

• against his servant David: Jonathan subtly reminds Saul of David’s status, which implies service and loyalty to the crown, further underscoring David's blamelessness in this conflict. He still positions David within Saul's domain, making the appeal less threatening.

• because he has not sinned against you: This highlights David's complete innocence. His blamelessness removes any justification for Saul's murderous intent. David's righteousness is consistently portrayed throughout these narratives, contrasted with Saul's deteriorating spiritual condition.

• and because his deeds: (Hebrew: וּמַעֲשָׂיו, ūmaʿăśāyw) - Refers to David's actions, particularly his heroic acts in battle, most notably the slaying of Goliath and numerous Philistine victories (1 Sam 17-18). These "deeds" are publicly known and universally acknowledged.

• have been very beneficial to you: (Hebrew: וְטוֹב לְךָ מְאֹד, wəṭōv ləḵā məʾōḏ) - Literally, "and good to you exceedingly."

  • beneficial/good: (Hebrew: טוֹב, ṭōv) - Implies advantageous, wholesome, and bringing positive outcomes. David’s actions brought military success, honor, and security to Saul’s kingdom. This is a pragmatic argument appealing to Saul's self-interest.
  • very: (Hebrew: מְאֹד, məʾōḏ) - Intensifier, emphasizing the profound positive impact David has had.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father": This phrase emphasizes Jonathan's courageous decision to act as an intercessor, facing his increasingly tyrannical father on behalf of his friend, despite the obvious danger this placed him in. It signifies Jonathan's deep integrity and his choice of righteous advocacy over self-preservation or passive obedience.
  • "Let not the king sin against his servant David": This is Jonathan's primary plea, framed as a moral and religious imperative. By calling Saul's potential action a "sin" (ḥāṭāʾ), Jonathan elevates the issue beyond mere political rivalry, suggesting it would be a transgression against divine order or God Himself, especially concerning God's anointed one (though not explicitly stated about David in this specific verse, it is a looming understanding).
  • "because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been very beneficial to you": These two clauses form the logical core of Jonathan's argument. The first highlights David's moral blamelessness ("he has not sinned against you"), appealing to justice and innocence. The second points to David's tangible, positive contributions ("his deeds have been very beneficial to you"), appealing to Saul's pragmatic self-interest and gratitude. This demonstrates Jonathan's rhetorical skill, appealing to both ethical principles and practical consequences.

1 Samuel 19 4 Bonus section

• Prophetic Parallel: Jonathan's role as an intercessor for David can be seen as a faint but significant shadow of Christ's role as the ultimate intercessor and advocate for humanity before God, demonstrating deep love and self-sacrificing appeal.
• Tension of Loyalties: The verse starkly illustrates Jonathan's deep spiritual and personal dilemma: the sacred bond with his father (the reigning king) versus his covenant with David and, by extension, God's anointing on David. Jonathan chose divine loyalty and righteous friendship over tribal or family fealty when they conflicted. This is a common theme in Scripture, where God often calls His servants to prioritize His will over earthly bonds (e.g., Matt 10:37).
• Saul's Temporary Repentance: Jonathan's appeal was momentarily effective (1 Sam 19:5-7), leading Saul to swear an oath not to kill David. This showcases Jonathan’s persuasive power and Saul’s brief moments of clarity. However, this effectiveness was short-lived, highlighting Saul's unstable spiritual condition and the cyclical nature of his malevolent envy, which would eventually drive him to continued persecution of David.

1 Samuel 19 4 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:4 serves as a profound testament to Jonathan's exemplary character and a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Saul and David. Jonathan's intercession is not merely an act of friendship but a righteous stand for truth and justice. He masterfully crafts an argument based on David's impeccable integrity and his undeniable service to the king and kingdom. By warning Saul not to "sin" against David, Jonathan implicitly appeals to a higher moral code, perhaps reminding Saul that persecuting the innocent and God-blessed would be a transgression against God Himself, not merely a personal vendetta. This warning underlines the spiritual decay of Saul, whose envy had blinded him to justice and rendered him heedless of divine approval. Jonathan’s boldness reveals his deep spiritual insight and loyalty to God's chosen, setting a standard for unwavering righteousness amidst corrupt authority. His argument, built on David's blamelessness and valuable contributions, temporarily sways Saul, demonstrating the power of principled intercession rooted in truth and divine wisdom.

• Examples:
  • Moral Courage: Jonathan's stand against his powerful, wrathful father exemplifies the moral courage required to defend the innocent, even when it puts one's own position or life at risk.
  • Principled Advocacy: His argument shows how appealing to facts (David's blamelessness) and tangible benefits can be a potent tool in advocating for what is right.
  • Intercession in Families: The verse highlights the challenge and importance of family members interceding on behalf of others within the family dynamic, especially when issues of injustice or wrongdoing arise.