Day 34 – 1 Samuel 19:1-7
Scripture Review
1 Samuel 19:1-7
"And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David." (1 Samuel 19:1)
I see Saul speaking plainly and publicly.
This is not a rumor.
This is a direct command.
He tells his own son and all his servants that they should kill David. The words are cold and final, and they flow straight out of the "enemy continually" spirit at the end of chapter 18.
Saul's heart is now set on murder. He no longer hides his plan. That is what happens when envy is allowed to fester in the mind. It will go from hidden to open rebellion against what God is doing.
"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:" (1 Samuel 19:2)
That word "But" is where the whole passage turns. Saul's heart is moving one direction, but Jonathan's heart chooses another. Jonathan "delighted much in David." It takes me back to what I read in chapter 18, when his soul was knit with David's soul. This is covenant love revealed in action while under pressure.
Instead of obeying evil, Jonathan warns the innocent. He speaks truth, and he gives wise counsel: take heed, abide,hide. This teaches me that when my heart is after God it doesn't join wicked plans. It protects and warns.
This challenges me, because it is easy to stay loyal when loyalty costs nothing. But when warning someone risks anger from above, that is where a godly heart shows itself.
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Proverbs 22:3)
"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." (1 Samuel 19:3)
I see Jonathan making a brave plan. He doesn't just feel concern about David, he takes action. He will stand beside Saul in the field and speak about David face to face. And he promises David, "what I see, that I will tell thee."
That is faithful friendship.
A heart after God does not hide behind feelings.
It steps into danger to help. Jonathan is willing to risk his relationship with his father in order to do what is right.
It reminds me of a simple truth: real love doesn't only sympathize, it intervenes.
"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)
I see Jonathan speaking good of David to the very man who wants him dead. He calls David "his servant," and he calls Saul's plan what it is, sin. "Let not the king sin..."
That is bold.
He doesn't smooth it over.
He doesn't rename it.
He calls it right.
Jonathan also reminds Saul of David's character: "he hath not sinned against thee." David has served. David has been faithful. David's works have been "to thee-ward very good." A heart after God defends the righteous and refuses to cooperate with lies.
This shows me that speaking truth in love sometimes means telling someone in authority, "This is sin."
"Open rebuke is better than secret love." (Proverbs 27:5)
"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?" (1 Samuel 19:5)
Jonathan reaches back to chapter 17. He reminds Saul that David put his life in his hand and slew the Philistine. And he gives God the credit. "the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel."
That is the same truth David declared in the valley, God saves, God delivers, God gets the glory.
Then Jonathan asks Saul a direct question. Why would you sin against innocent blood without a cause? That phrase "innocent blood" is especially important. Jonathan is not only defending David, he is pleading for justice and warning Saul about guilt. A heart after God remembers God's past mercies and refuses to rewrite history to fit present evil desires.
And the Bible is clear about what God thinks of innocent blood: "A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood," (Proverbs 6:17)
"And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain." (1 Samuel 19:6)
For the moment, Jonathan's words turn Saul's wrath aside. "Saul hearkened..." That shows the power of righteous pleading. And then Saul swears, "As the LORD liveth," that David will not be slain.
This verse teaches me something sobering: even a man with a wrong heart can be restrained for a season when truth is spoken clearly. God used Jonathan's loyal intercession to pause the violence.
It also reminds me that the right words at the right time can cool a fire before it spreads. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
"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." (1 Samuel 19:7)
I see Jonathan finishing the work of love. He doesn't just win the moment and walk away. He calls David, tells him everything, and brings him back.
Jonathan protects David, speaks truth to Saul, and then works to restore fellowship.
When God gives me a chance to help, do I finish what I start?
I should confront sin.
Seeks restoration when restoration is possible.
The goal is peace, safety, and restored order, "as in times past."