1 Samuel 19:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul 's son, delighted much in David.

NIV: Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David

NASB: Now Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David.

CSB: Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much,

NLT: Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan, because of his strong affection for David,

KJV: And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

NKJV: Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David.

First Samuel 19:1–7 records how Jonathan convinced Saul that David isn't a threat. The king's fear of and anger toward David had been growing since they returned from the battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 18). When Saul orders his servants to kill David, Jonathan reminds him of David's loyalty. The King agrees he has no legal reason to kill David, and David returns to his service. The truce doesn't last long. Saul again tries to kill David with a spear and then sends assassins to David's house. David's wife, Saul's daughter, helps David escape (1 Samuel 19:8–17).

In 1 Samuel 19, the war between Saul and David grows stronger. Saul orders his servants to kill David. Jonathan confronts him about this injustice, and the king swears not to put David to death. But when a harmful spirit from the Lord comes upon Saul, Saul tries to kill David with a spear. With Michal's help, David escapes Samuel in Ramah and the company of prophets. Three groups of Saul's servants and then Saul himself come to arrest David, but they're all overcome by God's Spirit and begin prophesying uncontrollably.

When David killed Goliath, Saul brought him in as an army commander. The more battles David won, the more the people loved him. Saul increasingly saw his warrior as a threat (1 Samuel 16:14—18:30). David finally understands he can't reconcile his relationship with the king. He flees with the help of Saul's daughter and son, who are David's wife and best friend (1 Samuel 19—20). Stil loyal to King Saul and Israel, David builds his own army. He will continue to fight Israel's enemies, and run from Saul, until Saul's death.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 9/19/2025 11:17:06 PM