1 Samuel 19 6

1 Samuel 19:6 kjv

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

1 Samuel 19:6 nkjv

So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed."

1 Samuel 19:6 niv

Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death."

1 Samuel 19:6 esv

And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death."

1 Samuel 19:6 nlt

So Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed."

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 6 Meaning

This verse records Saul's solemn vow, sworn by the living God, that David would not be put to death. It signifies a temporary moment of respite in Saul's persecution of David, brought about by Jonathan's eloquent and courageous intercession on David's behalf, which briefly swayed Saul's murderous intent.

1 Samuel 19 6 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 19 is a critical passage detailing Saul's renewed and increasingly aggressive attempts to kill David, who has consistently been successful in battle and loved by the people. Saul, filled with an evil spirit and consumed by jealousy (1 Sam 18:10-11), overtly commands his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. Jonathan, however, loyal to David and acknowledging David's innocence and service to Israel, directly appeals to Saul. In 1 Sam 19:4-5, Jonathan powerfully reminds Saul of David's invaluable service, risking his own life in battling the Philistine and achieving a great victory that brought salvation to Israel. He stresses the injustice and sin of shedding innocent blood. Saul's oath in verse 6 is a direct response to Jonathan's persuasion, marking a brief moment where reason and truth, perhaps coupled with the Spirit of the LORD (1 Sam 19:23-24, though later), seemed to touch Saul. However, this apparent change of heart proves fleeting, as Saul's murderous intent resurfaces quickly (1 Sam 19:9-10). The cultural context emphasizes the grave importance of oaths sworn by Yahweh; such an oath was deeply binding, with breaking it carrying severe implications and dishonoring God Himself.

1 Samuel 19 6 Word analysis

• And Saul listened: The Hebrew verb for "listened" is shama' (שָׁמַע). This verb means not only to hear but also to pay attention, heed, or even obey. Here, it implies Saul was genuinely influenced by Jonathan's words, at least momentarily. This listening contrasts sharply with Saul's previous unwillingness to hear the LORD's commands or Samuel's rebukes.
• to the voice of Jonathan: Jonathan's "voice" (qol - קוֹל) here represents his plea, argument, and persuasive power. His words carried authority, not just as Saul's son, but as a righteous man appealing to his father's better judgment and God's law. This highlights Jonathan's courage in speaking truth to power, risking his own life by defending David.
• and Saul swore, 'As the LORD lives, The phrase "swore" (from shava', שָׁבַע) refers to the act of making a solemn oath. The specific oath formula "As the LORD lives" (ḥay Yahweh - חַי יְהוָה) is a profoundly serious declaration in ancient Israel. It invokes the very existence of the living God as the guarantor of the oath's truthfulness and commitment. This means Saul called upon Yahweh's essence to stand behind his promise. Implicitly, it is a polemic against the dead or non-existent gods of surrounding nations, emphasizing the reality and power of Israel's God. Breaking such an oath was not merely a human breach of trust but an offense against the Almighty.
• he shall not be put to death.' This is a direct, negative prohibition. The phrase "he shall not be put to death" (lo yumat - לֹא יוּמָת) definitively states David's protection from fatal harm. For a moment, Saul aligns himself with justice and mercy, contrasting his usual murderous intentions. This promise, though sworn by God's name, will quickly be broken by Saul, exposing his spiritual decline and untrustworthiness, demonstrating that a mere oath, even a divinely sworn one, does not change the heart unless it leads to consistent obedience.

1 Samuel 19 6 Bonus section

The fleeting nature of Saul's oath underscores a crucial biblical principle: an external act or promise, even a divinely invoked one, is meaningless without genuine, internal transformation. Saul’s character arc repeatedly demonstrates a man who makes promises, offers sacrifices, or confesses sin, yet continually returns to his destructive path. This provides a stark contrast to David's character, who, despite his failings, consistently sought and submitted to God's will. Jonathan's successful plea highlights the power of intercession and speaking truth in love, even in dangerous circumstances, foreshadowing how Christ, as our perfect advocate, intercedes for believers before God (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).

1 Samuel 19 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:6 presents a pivotal and poignant moment, illustrating the volatile and inconsistent nature of King Saul. After overtly instructing his son and servants to kill David, Saul is surprisingly swayed by Jonathan's eloquent and courageous defense. Jonathan appealed not only to Saul's family loyalty but, more powerfully, to the justice of God, the nation's well-being, and David's undeniable innocence and heroism. Saul’s response, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death," is not a casual remark but a solemn oath, invoking the living God of Israel as the witness and guarantor. This indicates that for a brief interval, Jonathan's righteous words, perhaps empowered by the residual presence of the Spirit of God within Saul, pierced through Saul’s dark jealousy.

However, the rapid unraveling of this oath later in the very same chapter (1 Sam 19:9-10) is deeply significant. It demonstrates the superficiality of Saul's repentance or change of heart. His commitment, though sealed with God's name, was fleeting, driven by momentary conviction rather than a deep, transformative spiritual renewal. This contrast highlights the fundamental difference between human pledges, no matter how solemn, and God's own unwavering covenant promises. Jonathan’s faithfulness to David, unwavering despite his father's wrath, shines as a beacon, reminding us of the power of righteous intercession and steadfast love in the face of immense hostility. The verse ultimately serves as a narrative turning point, hinting that while divine intervention may grant temporary reprieve, Saul's deeply rooted spiritual malady will continue to drive his persecution of David. It underscores that true change involves a transformed heart, not just a verbal promise.