King James Version
What Does 1 Samuel 19:6 Mean?
“And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.”
1 Samuel 19:6 · KJV
Context
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
8
And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him. him: Heb. his face
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
Saul's oath 'As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain' seemed to resolve the crisis. His hearkening to Jonathan's voice suggested repentance. Yet swearing by the LORD while harboring unchanged heart reflects Saul's pattern of religious language without spiritual reality. The temporary reconciliation would prove superficial, revealing that sworn promises without heart change remain unreliable.
Saul's oath 'As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain' seemed to resolve the crisis. His hearkening to Jonathan's voice suggested repentance. Yet swearing by the LORD while harboring unchanged heart reflects Saul's pattern of religious language without spiritual reality. The temporary reconciliation would prove superficial, revealing that sworn promises without heart change remain unreliable.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Oaths invoking deity were binding in ancient cultures. Violating such oaths risked divine punishment. Saul's oath should have settled the matter definitively. Its later violation compounded his guilt.
Reflection Questions
- How can religious language and practices mask unchanged hearts?
- What does Saul's eventual violation of his oath teach about the importance of internal transformation?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsוַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע1 of 10
“hearkened”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֣ע5 of 10
“sware”
H7650to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
חַי7 of 10
“liveth”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֖ה8 of 10
“As the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִם9 of 10
“he shall not”
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge