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Commentary on 1 Samuel 19 verses 1–7
Saul and Jonathan appear here in their different characters, with reference to David.
I. Never was enemy so unreasonably cruel as Saul. He spoke to his son and all his servants that they should kill David, Sa1 19:1. His projects to take him off had failed, and therefore he proclaims him an out-law, and charges all about him, upon their allegiance, to take the first opportunity to kill David. It is strange that he was not ashamed thus to avow his malice when he could give no reason for it, and that knowing all his servants loved David (for so he had said himself, Sa1 18:22), he was not afraid of provoking them to rebel by this bloody order. Either malice was not then so politic, or justice was not so corrupted as it has been since, or else Saul would have had him indicted, and have suborned witnesses to swear treason against him, and so have had him taken off, as Naboth was, by colour of law. But there is least danger from this undisguised malice. It was strange that he who knew how well Jonathan loved him should expect him to kill him; but he thought that because he was heir to the crown he must needs be as envious at David as himself was. And Providence ordered it thus that he might befriend David's safety.
II. Never was friend so surprisingly kind as Jonathan. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Such a one Jonathan was to David. He not only continued to delight much in him, though David's glory eclipsed his, but bravely appeared for him now that the stream ran so strongly against him.
1.He took care for his present security by letting him know his danger (Sa1 19:2): "Take heed to thyself, and keep out of harm's way." Jonathan knew not but that some of the servants might be either so obsequious to Saul or so envious at David as to put the orders in execution which Saul had given, if they could light on David.
2.He took pains to pacify his father and reconcile him to David. The next morning he ventured to commune with him concerning David (Sa1 19:3), not that night, perhaps because he observed Saul to be drunk and not fit to be spoken to, or because he hoped that, when he had slept upon it, he would himself revoke the order, or because he could not have an opportunity of speaking to him till morning.
(1.)His intercession for David was very prudent. It was managed with a great deal of the meekness of wisdom; and he showed himself faithful to his friends by speaking good of him, though he was in danger of incurring his father's displeasure by it - a rare instance of valuable friendship! He pleads, [1.] The good services David had done to the public, and particularly to Saul: His work has been to thee-ward very good, Sa1 19:4. Witness the relief he had given him against his distemper with his harp, and his bold encounter with Goliath, that memorable action, which did, in effect, save Saul's life and kingdom. He appeals to himself concerning his: Thou thyself sawest it, and didst rejoice. In that and other instances it appeared that David was a favourite of heaven and a friend to Israel, as well as a good servant to Saul, for by him the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel; so that to order him to be slain was not only base ingratitude to so good a servant, but a great affront to God and a great injury to the public. [2.] He pleads his innocency. Though he had formerly done many good offices, yet, if he had now been chargeable with any crimes, it would have been another matter; but he has not sinned against thee (Sa1 19:1), his blood is innocent (Sa1 19:5), and, if he be slain, it is without cause. And Jonathan had therefore reason to protest against it because he could not entail any thing upon his family more pernicious than the guilt of innocent blood.
(2.)His intercession, being thus prudent, was prevalent. God inclined the heart of Saul to hearken to the voice of Jonathan. Note, We must be willing to hear reason, and to take all reproofs and good advice even from our inferiors, parents from their own children. How forcible are right words! Saul was, for the present, so far convinced of the unreasonableness of his enmity to David that, [1.] He recalled the bloody warrant for his execution (Sa1 19:6): As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. Whether Saul swore here with due solemnity or no does not appear; perhaps he did, and the matter was of such moment as to deserve it and of such uncertainty as to need it. But at other times Saul swore rashly and profanely, which made the sincerity of this oath justly questionable; for it may be feared that those who can so far jest with an oath as to make a by-word of it, and prostitute it to a trifle, have not such a due sense of the obligation of it but that, to serve a turn, they will prostitute it to a lie. Some suspect that Saul said and swore this with a malicious design to bring David within his reach again, intending to take the first opportunity to slay him. But, as bad as Saul was, we can scarcely think so ill of him; and therefore we suppose that he spoke as he thought for the present, but the convictions soon wore off and his corruptions prevailed and triumphed over them. [2.] He renewed the grant of his place at court. Jonathan brought him to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past (Sa1 19:7), hoping that now the storm was over, and that his friend Jonathan would be instrumental to keep his father always in this good mind.
But true martyrs are such as those of whom the Lord says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” It is not, therefore, those who suffer persecution for their unrighteousness and for the divisions which they impiously introduce into Christian unity, but those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, that are truly martyrs. For Hagar also suffered persecution at the hands of Sarah; and in that case she who persecuted was righteous, and she who suffered persecution was unrighteous. Are we to compare with this persecution which Hagar suffered to the case of holy David, who was persecuted by unrighteous Saul? Surely there is an essential difference, not in respect of his suffering but because he suffered for righteousness’ sake.
Moreover, Jonathan, the son of Saul, loved David greatly, etc. Likewise, the apostles loved Christ greatly, and, recounting the accusations of the faithless, they beseeched Him to defend His Church, to preserve the faith in His name within the Church; remaining secretly in the hearts of the believers, yet hidden from the disturbance of men. We, however, they say, you dwelling fruitfully in the minds of the pious (Genesis 27). For this is truly the field full of fragrance and grace, which the Lord has blessed; we will speak and teach this people in Your name, and those who prefer to believe rather than disbelieve from among them, we will announce to Your holy Church, so that, knowing the state of each, it may learn to join the faithful and to protect itself from the unbelievers.
(1 Samuel 19) "But Saul spoke to Jonathan his son," etc. The princes of the Jews, together with the elders and scribes, spoke to the apostles, strictly commanding them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 19:1 marks a perilous and public escalation in King Saul's relentless animosity towards David, as he abandons covert plots and personal attacks to issue a direct, murderous command to his own son Jonathan and all his servants: that they should assassinate David. This verse signifies a dark turning point, revealing the destructive depths of Saul's jealousy, paranoia, and spiritual decline, while simultaneously setting the stage for Jonathan's profound moral dilemma and God's continued sovereign protection over His chosen servant.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Escalation is profoundly evident as Saul moves from personal javelin attacks and indirect plots to a public, direct command for murder, signifying a dangerous new phase in his animosity. There is profound Irony in Saul commanding his own son, Jonathan, to kill David, given Jonathan's deep covenantal friendship and unwavering loyalty to David, which is well-established in the preceding chapter. This sets up a powerful moral dilemma for Jonathan, forcing a choice between filial obedience to a corrupt king and righteous loyalty to an innocent friend and God's anointed. The explicit command to "kill" also functions as foreshadowing, indicating the relentless and violent pursuit David will endure throughout the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel, yet simultaneously highlighting God's unwavering protection over His anointed one. The stark contrast between Saul's destructive hatred and David's innocent faithfulness also serves as a form of character foil, emphasizing the spiritual and moral decline of the king.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark theological commentary on the destructive power of unchecked sin, particularly jealousy, pride, and an unyielding grip on power, when it takes root in a leader's heart. Saul's descent from a divinely appointed king to a murderous tyrant demonstrates the tragic consequences of rejecting God's Spirit and pursuing one's own agenda above divine will. His command to kill David is a direct affront to God's anointing and plan, highlighting the ongoing tension between human will and divine sovereignty. Yet, even in this dark moment of human treachery and the king's open rebellion against God's purposes, God's faithfulness to His promises and His chosen servant is implicitly affirmed, as Saul's command ultimately fails to thwart God's purpose for David.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 19:1 is a chilling reminder of how quickly unchecked sin can escalate from internal resentment to outward, destructive actions. Saul's jealousy, fueled by his insecurity and an evil spirit, led him to abandon all moral and ethical boundaries, even commanding murder against an innocent and loyal servant. This narrative compels us to examine our own hearts, recognizing the insidious nature of envy and pride and the importance of addressing them through confession, repentance, and reliance on God's grace before they consume us and harm others. It also highlights the profound courage and integrity required to stand for what is right, even when it means opposing powerful figures or family members, as Jonathan's subsequent actions demonstrate. Ultimately, the verse encourages us to place our trust not in human power or protection, but in the sovereign hand of God, who faithfully guards those He has chosen and fulfills His purposes despite human opposition and the most malicious of schemes. We are reminded that true security and purpose are found in aligning ourselves with God's will, not in clinging to earthly positions or possessions.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Saul command Jonathan and all his servants to kill David, instead of doing it himself or just one person?
Answer: Saul's command to Jonathan and "all his servants" was a strategic and desperate move born out of his escalating paranoia and a desire to legitimize his murderous intent. By involving Jonathan, his own son and heir, Saul aimed to test his loyalty and perhaps implicate him in the plot, making it harder for Jonathan to side with David. By including "all his servants," Saul was attempting to make David's assassination a public, sanctioned act of the court, rather than a private, illicit murder. This also served to spread the responsibility, making it more likely that someone would carry out the deed. However, this broad command also created a wider circle of potential dissenters and informants, ultimately working against Saul's goal, as Jonathan immediately warned David (1 Samuel 19:2).
What does the "¶" (pilcrow) at the beginning of the KJV verse signify?
Answer: In older English translations like the King James Version, the pilcrow (¶) is a typesetting mark used to indicate a new paragraph or a significant thematic break in the text. It doesn't imply a textual variant or a special meaning of the verse itself, but rather signals to the reader that the following sentence or passage begins a new thought or section within the narrative flow. In 1 Samuel 19:1, it highlights the beginning of a new and intensified phase in Saul's persecution of David, moving from individual, impulsive attempts to an open, public command for assassination.
How did David respond to this direct threat on his life?
Answer: David did not directly respond to Saul's command in this verse, as he was not present when it was issued. However, David was immediately warned by Jonathan, who had heard his father's decree and remained loyal to his friend (1 Samuel 19:2). Jonathan then interceded with Saul on David's behalf, temporarily pacifying the king and bringing David back to court (1 Samuel 19:4-7). Despite this temporary reprieve, Saul's murderous intent soon returned, leading David to flee and become a fugitive for many years, relying on God's miraculous protection and guidance (1 Samuel 19:9-10).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 19:1, with its raw depiction of a divinely appointed leader seeking to murder an innocent, God-anointed servant, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection and persecution of God's true Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Just as Saul, driven by jealousy, insecurity, and a desperate desire to retain earthly power, sought to eliminate David, so too did the religious and political authorities of Jesus' day conspire to put Him to death, viewing Him as a threat to their established order and earthly authority (John 11:47-50). David, though innocent, was hunted and betrayed by the very king he served, much like the Lamb of God who was "led as a sheep to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). Yet, just as God supernaturally protected David through various means and ultimately established him on the throne of Israel, so too did God raise Jesus from the dead, vindicating Him and establishing His eternal kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Acts 2:23-24). Saul's futile attempt to thwart God's plan for David underscores the unshakeable sovereignty of God in bringing about His redemptive purposes through Christ, ensuring that no human malice or conspiracy can ultimately prevent the triumph of His Messiah and the establishment of His everlasting reign (Philippians 2:9-11).