1 samuel 19:4 - Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you;

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 19:4

What does "1 samuel 19:4" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 19:4, is a plea from Jonathan to his father, King Saul, on behalf of David. Let's break down what it means:

"Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father...": This establishes that Jonathan is actively trying to defend David to Saul. He is using his influence as Saul's son to advocate for David's well-being. Jonathan has a strong friendship with David and recognizes David's loyalty and value.

"...and said to him, 'Don't let the king sin against his servant, against David...'": Jonathan directly accuses Saul of potentially committing a sin by harming David. He is appealing to Saul's sense of morality and warning him of the wrongfulness of hurting an innocent and loyal servant.

"...because he has not sinned against you...": This is a key argument. Jonathan is pointing out that David is not guilty of any wrongdoing against Saul. There is no justification for Saul's anger or suspicion.

"...and because his works have been very good toward you.'": Jonathan reinforces the idea of David's innocence by highlighting his positive contributions to Saul. He reminds Saul of all the good things David has done for him, such as his bravery in battle (defeating Goliath), his skill as a musician (soothing Saul's troubled spirit), and his general loyalty and service.

In essence, the verse is a powerful plea for justice and reason. Jonathan is trying to persuade Saul to see David as a loyal and valuable servant who deserves to be treated fairly and protected, not persecuted. He is reminding Saul of David's good deeds and innocence, and warning him against acting unjustly. It's a demonstration of Jonathan's loyalty to David, even in the face of his father's growing animosity.