1 Samuel 19:2

1 Samuel 19:2 Meaning and Explanation

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:

King James Version (KJV)

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Jonathan, who deeply loved David, warns him of Saul's intent and urges him to hide.

What Does 1 Samuel 19:2 Mean?

The word but turns the story. Against his father's command, Jonathan delights in David and immediately warns him. As the king's son with everything to lose, Jonathan chooses loyalty to his friend over self-interest, telling David to hide himself until morning while he intervenes.

Here covenant love proves stronger than ambition or fear. Jonathan risks his own standing to shield the one God has chosen, becoming a picture of faithful friendship that lays down its advantage for another. Such selfless love points toward the greater love that would lay down life itself for friends. In a house bent on destruction, one heart of love becomes the instrument of preservation.

1 Samuel 19:2 in the Original Language

chaphets (חָפֵץ), 'delighted' -- to take pleasure in, to desire with the whole heart.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 19:2

What does 1 Samuel 19:2 mean?

Jonathan, who deeply loved David, warns him of Saul's intent and urges him to hide.

Keep Studying 1 Samuel 19

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