King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 19:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 19:5 in the King James Version says “For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: tho... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 19:5 · KJV


Context

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.

7

And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past . in times: Heb. yesterday, third day


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

Jonathan's reminder of David's victory over Goliath - 'thou sawest it, and didst rejoice' - recalled Saul's own past approval. The phrase 'the LORD wrought a great salvation' attributes the victory to divine agency. Jonathan exposed the irrationality of now hating one previously celebrated. 'Slay David without a cause' (chinnam, freely/without reason) indicts Saul's injustice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient legal advocacy often referenced precedent and previous testimony. Jonathan's reminder functioned like introducing evidence of prior approval. The appeal to shared history (thou sawest...didst rejoice) made Saul's reversal difficult to justify.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do shared positive memories sometimes restore broken relationships?
  2. What does 'without a cause' teach about the fundamental injustice of persecuting the innocent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּשֶׂם֩1 of 23

For he did put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת2 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשׁ֨וֹ3 of 23

his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בְכַפּ֜וֹ4 of 23

in his hand

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

וַיַּ֣ךְ5 of 23

and slew

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י7 of 23

the Philistine

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ8 of 23

wrought

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֜ה9 of 23

and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה10 of 23

salvation

H8668

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

גְדוֹלָה֙11 of 23

a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

לְכָל12 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 23

for all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

רָאִ֖יתָ14 of 23

thou sawest

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וַתִּשְׂמָ֑ח15 of 23

it and didst rejoice

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

וְלָ֤מָּה16 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תֶֽחֱטָא֙17 of 23

wherefore then wilt thou sin

H2398

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

בְּדָ֣ם18 of 23

blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָקִ֔י19 of 23

against innocent

H5355

innocent

לְהָמִ֥ית20 of 23

to slay

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֶת21 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּוִ֖ד22 of 23

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

חִנָּֽם׃23 of 23

without a cause

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage


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 19:5 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 19:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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