King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 19:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 19:4 in the King James Version says “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, agai... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

1 Samuel 19:4 · KJV


Context

2

But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

3

And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

4

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

5

For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

6

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

Jonathan's defense of David employs careful rhetoric: David has 'not sinned against thee,' his works 'have been to thee-ward very good,' and the warning 'let not the king sin against his servant.' He appeals to justice, benefit, and Saul's own spiritual welfare. The phrase 'innocent blood' invokes covenant law against murder. Jonathan demonstrates how truth can be spoken to power wisely and courageously.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Defending accused persons before kings required diplomatic skill. Jonathan built his case on observable facts rather than emotional appeals. The covenant concept of 'innocent blood' carried significant weight in Israelite jurisprudence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you frame truthful advocacy to be heard by those in power?
  2. What does Jonathan's appeal to Saul's own spiritual welfare teach about loving confrontation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 23

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֤ן2 of 23

And Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

בְדָוִ֗ד3 of 23

against David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

טוֹב4 of 23

good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֶל5 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֖וּל6 of 23

unto Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָבִ֑יו7 of 23

his father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 23

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֠לָיו9 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל10 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

חָטָא֙11 of 23

because he hath not sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ12 of 23

unto him Let not the king

H4428

a king

בְּעַבְדּ֣וֹ13 of 23

against his servant

H5650

a servant

בְדָוִ֗ד14 of 23

against David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

כִּ֣י15 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ל֤וֹא16 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָטָא֙17 of 23

because he hath not sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לָ֔ךְ18 of 23
H0
וְכִ֥י19 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מַֽעֲשָׂ֖יו20 of 23

against thee and because his works

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

טוֹב21 of 23

good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְךָ֥22 of 23
H0
מְאֹֽד׃23 of 23

have been to thee-ward very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 19:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 19:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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