1 Samuel 19:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul listens to Jonathan and swears by the living Lord that David will not be killed.
What Does 1 Samuel 19:6 Mean?
Jonathan's plea succeeds, at least for the moment. Saul hearkens to his son's voice and binds himself with a solemn oath, swearing by the life of the Lord that David shall not be slain. The reconciliation seems complete, sealed by the most sacred of vows.
For a season truth prevails and conscience is heard, and the hunted man is granted peace. Yet an oath is only as steadfast as the heart that makes it, and Saul's heart is unstable. The verse shines as a moment of grace and also warns how easily good resolutions crumble where the heart is not truly changed. The Lord's purposes for David, however, do not rest on Saul's wavering word but on God's own faithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 19:6
What does 1 Samuel 19:6 mean?
Saul listens to Jonathan and swears by the living Lord that David will not be killed.