David Delivered from Saul

19 Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David.(A) But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much,(B) so he told him: “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there. I’ll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are and talk to him about you. When I see what he says, I’ll tell you.”(C)

Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: “The king should not sin against his servant David.(D) He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you. He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine,(E) and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel.(F) You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”(G)

Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he did before.(H)

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Jonathan Intercedes for David

19 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials[a] to kill David, but Saul’s son Jonathan was very fond of[b] David. So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. In the morning be careful and stay hidden in a secret place. I’ll go out and stand by my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to my father about you. If I find out what he intends to do,[c] I’ll tell you.”

Jonathan spoke to his father Saul favorably about David. “The king shouldn’t wrong his servant David because he has not wronged you and because what he has done has been very beneficial for you. He risked his life[d] and struck down the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a spectacular deliverance for all Israel. You saw that and rejoiced, so why would you do wrong and shed innocent blood[e] by killing David without cause?” Saul listened to Jonathan, and swore by the life of the Lord that David[f] would not be killed. Jonathan summoned David and told him all this.[g] Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David[h] served him[i] as before.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 19:1 Or servants
  2. 1 Samuel 19:1 Lit. took great delight in
  3. 1 Samuel 19:3 The Heb. lacks he intends to do
  4. 1 Samuel 19:5 Lit. put his life in his hand
  5. 1 Samuel 19:5 Lit. do wrong with innocent blood
  6. 1 Samuel 19:6 Lit. he
  7. 1 Samuel 19:7 Lit. all these words
  8. 1 Samuel 19:7 Lit. he
  9. 1 Samuel 19:7 Lit. was in his presence