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Saul Repeatedly Attempts to Take David’s Life

19 Then Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much.[a] So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying[b] to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find[c] a hiding place and stay in seclusion.[d] I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are. I will speak to my father about you. When I find out what the problem is,[e] I will let you know.”

So Jonathan spoke on David’s behalf[f] to his father Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you. On the contrary, his actions have been very beneficial[g] for you. He risked his life[h] when he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord gave all Israel a great victory. When you saw it, you were happy. So why would you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death for no reason?”

Saul accepted Jonathan’s advice[i] and took an oath, “As surely as the Lord lives, he will not be put to death.” Then Jonathan called David and told him all these things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he had done formerly.[j]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 19:1 tn Heb “delighted greatly in David.”
  2. 1 Samuel 19:2 tn Heb “seeking.”
  3. 1 Samuel 19:2 tn Heb “stay in.”
  4. 1 Samuel 19:2 tn Heb “and hide yourself.”
  5. 1 Samuel 19:3 tn Heb “when I see.”
  6. 1 Samuel 19:4 tn Heb “spoke good with respect to David.”
  7. 1 Samuel 19:4 tn Heb “good.”
  8. 1 Samuel 19:5 tn Heb “and he put his life into his hand.”
  9. 1 Samuel 19:6 tn Heb “and Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan.”
  10. 1 Samuel 19:7 tn Heb “and he was before him as before.”

Jonathan Intercedes for David

19 Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants about killing David, but Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much.[a] So Jonathan informed David, saying, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; now please take care! In the morning you should stay in the hiding place and conceal yourself. I will go out and stand at my father’s side[b] in the field where you are, and I will speak about you to my father; if I find out anything[c] I will tell it to you.” So Jonathan spoke well about David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his service for you has been very good. He put his life in his hand and attacked the Philistine, and Yahweh brought about a great victory for all of Israel, and you saw it and rejoiced! Now why should you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore, “As Yahweh lives,[d] he will not be put to death!” Jonathan called to David and told him all of these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul and he was before him as formerly.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 19:1 Literally “delighted in David very”
  2. 1 Samuel 19:3 Literally “at the hand of my father”
  3. 1 Samuel 19:3 Literally “if I see and what?”
  4. 1 Samuel 19:6 Literally “the life of Yahweh”
  5. 1 Samuel 19:7 Literally “yesterday three days ago”