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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.
Why then do you sin against innocent blood? etc. Why do you sin, trying to extinguish his faith, striving to remove his love from the Church, who alone among mortals could live without fault?
And he placed his life in his hand, etc. The Lord, they say, commended his love for you, which no one has greater, by placing his life for you; so that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might free those who throughout their whole life were subject to bondage. Many from among our number witnessed the glory of his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven, and rejoiced (Hebr. II).
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SUMMARY
Jonathan, King Saul's son, passionately intercedes for David's life, reminding his father of David's heroic act in slaying Goliath. He highlights that David "did put his life in his hand" for Israel's sake, and that "the LORD wrought a great salvation" through him, a victory Saul himself witnessed and celebrated. Jonathan then confronts Saul's murderous intent, labeling it a profound "sin against innocent blood" to slay David "without a cause," underscoring David's blamelessness and the moral depravity of Saul's escalating jealousy.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jonathan's impassioned speech in 1 Samuel 19:5 is rich with compelling literary techniques. He masterfully employs Rhetorical Question with "wherefore then wilt thou sin...?" This device is not intended to elicit an answer, but rather to provoke profound self-reflection in Saul, exposing the absurdity and moral depravity of his actions. Jonathan skillfully utilizes Pathos by appealing to Saul's past emotions, reminding him that he "sawest [it], and didst rejoice," aiming to evoke a sense of shame, regret, or cognitive dissonance by contrasting past joy with present malice. There is striking Irony in Saul's dramatic transformation from celebrating David's victory to actively seeking his life, powerfully underscoring the destructive and blinding power of jealousy. The phrase "put his life in his hand" functions as a vivid Idiom, creating a powerful mental image of David's extreme bravery and self-sacrifice. Furthermore, the speech employs a subtle form of Repetition by reiterating key ideas—David's heroism, God's divine salvation, and David's undeniable innocence—to build a compelling and morally unassailable argument against Saul's murderous intentions.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonathan's impassioned plea in 1 Samuel 19:5 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the sanctity of life. It underscores that true deliverance comes from God, who sovereignly chooses and uses human instruments; therefore, to harm such an instrument is to directly oppose God Himself. Saul's descent into murderous jealousy exemplifies the destructive power of sin when unchecked, starkly contrasting with David's blamelessness and God's continued favor upon him. The emphasis on "innocent blood" highlights a foundational biblical principle: human life is sacred, made in God's image, and its unjust taking is a grave offense against the Creator, demanding divine justice. Jonathan's courageous act of speaking truth to power, even at significant personal risk, also models faithful witness and prophetic courage in the face of unrighteousness and tyrannical abuse of authority.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonathan's courageous stand in 1 Samuel 19:5 offers a powerful and enduring model for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a moral courage that enables us to speak truth to power, even when it is uncomfortable or carries significant personal cost, much like Jonathan risked his own standing and safety with his father to defend an innocent friend. Saul's tragic example serves as a stark and sobering warning against the insidious and destructive nature of unchecked envy, insecurity, and bitterness, reminding us to diligently guard our hearts against these corrupting forces. Furthermore, Jonathan's appeal to God's past "great salvation" wrought through David encourages us to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our own lives and in the broader history of His people. This remembrance can serve as a powerful anchor for our faith, provide essential perspective in times of trial, and strengthen our resolve to uphold justice and the sanctity of all human life, thereby reflecting God's own righteous character in a world often prone to injustice and violence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does the phrase "he did put his life in his hand" truly convey?
Answer: This vivid idiom, "he did put his life in his hand," signifies that David willingly placed himself in extreme, mortal danger, risking his very existence. It powerfully emphasizes his extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice in confronting Goliath, highlighting that he faced a seemingly insurmountable threat with complete disregard for his own safety, all for the sake of his people and the honor of God.
Why does Jonathan emphasize that "the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel"?
Answer: Jonathan's emphasis on God's agency serves multiple crucial purposes. First, it reminds Saul that the victory over Goliath was not merely David's personal triumph but a divine act of deliverance orchestrated by Yahweh for the entire nation. Second, it underscores David's role as God's chosen instrument, implying that to harm David is to directly oppose God's will and His work. Finally, it appeals to Saul's own memory of a time when he rejoiced in God's blessing and deliverance through David, starkly contrasting it with his current sinful intent. This theological framing elevates the discussion beyond a personal vendetta to a matter of divine honor and national well-being, as David himself declared that "the battle is the LORD's" in 1 Samuel 17:47.
What is the significance of "sin against innocent blood" in this context?
Answer: "Sin against innocent blood" refers to the grave moral and spiritual offense of unjustly taking a blameless person's life. In ancient Israelite law and theology, shedding innocent blood was considered a heinous crime that defiled the land and brought severe divine judgment, as explicitly outlined in passages like Deuteronomy 21:8. Jonathan uses this strong accusation to highlight the profound depravity and spiritual danger of Saul's murderous intentions toward David, who had done nothing to deserve death and had, in fact, served Israel faithfully and heroically. It frames Saul's intent as a violation of both human justice and divine command.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's powerful appeal in 1 Samuel 19:5, highlighting David's self-sacrifice and the "great salvation" wrought by the LORD through him, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, in putting his life in his hand to save Israel from the Philistine giant, serves as a remarkable type, foreshadowing the ultimate Lamb of God who willingly laid down His life, not merely for a nation, but for the sins of the entire world (as proclaimed in John 1:29). The "great salvation" achieved through David's act of physical deliverance for Israel, while significant, pales in comparison to the eternal spiritual salvation accomplished by Christ's crucifixion and resurrection (Hebrews 9:12). Jesus, the truly innocent One, was unjustly slain "without a cause," fulfilling the prophetic lament of the righteous suffering innocently (Isaiah 53:7). His shed "innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4) did not defile the land but became the very means of atonement and cleansing for humanity's sins, establishing a new covenant of grace and forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Thus, David's heroic act serves as a powerful prefigurement, pointing forward to the infinitely greater, perfect, and redemptive sacrifice of Christ, through whom God accomplished the ultimate and eternal salvation for all who believe.