1 Samuel 19:6
New International Version
Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

New Living Translation
So Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.”

English Standard Version
And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”

Berean Standard Bible
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

King James Bible
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

New King James Version
So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”

New American Standard Bible
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the LORD lives, David shall not be put to death.”

NASB 1995
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”

NASB 1977
And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.”

Amplified Bible
Saul listened to Jonathan and swore [an oath], “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”

Christian Standard Bible
Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.”

American Standard Version
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As Jehovah liveth, he shall not be put to death.

Contemporary English Version
Saul agreed and promised, "I swear by the living LORD that I won't have David killed!"

English Revised Version
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be put to death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul listened to Jonathan, and he promised, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD lives, he will not be killed."

Good News Translation
Saul was convinced by what Jonathan said and made a vow in the LORD's name that he would not kill David.

International Standard Version
Saul listened to Jonathan, and swore by the life of the LORD that David would not be killed.

Majority Standard Bible
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

NET Bible
Saul accepted Jonathan's advice and took an oath, "As surely as the LORD lives, he will not be put to death."

New Heart English Bible
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

World English Bible
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, “As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul listens to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swears, “YHWH lives—he does not die.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul hearkeneth to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul sweareth, 'Jehovah liveth -- he doth not die.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will hear to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul will swear, Jehovah lives if he shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Saul heard this he was appeased with the words of Jonathan, and swore: As the Lord liveth he shall not be slain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Saul had heard this, being pleased by the voice of Jonathan, he swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.”

New American Bible
Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”

New Revised Standard Version
Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan his son; and Saul swore, saying, As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul listened to the voice of Yonathan his son, and Shaul swore and said: “Living is LORD JEHOVAH! He will not die!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore: 'As the LORD liveth, he shall not be put to death.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, saying, As the Lord lives, he shall not die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Attempts to Kill David
5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” 6Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.” 7So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul to serve him as he had before.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 24:17-20
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. / When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. ...

1 Samuel 26:21-25
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!” / “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of the young men come over and get it. / May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. ...

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

2 Kings 5:14
So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 6:21-23
And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” / “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

2 Chronicles 12:12
Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, and He did not destroy him completely. Indeed, conditions were good in Judah.

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 51:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 26:19
Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Jonah 3:10
When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, As the LORD lives, he shall not be slain.

sware

1 Samuel 14:39
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

1 Samuel 28:10
And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Psalm 15:4
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

he shalt not

1 Samuel 19:10,11
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night…

Jump to Previous
David Death Die Ear Hearkened Hearkeneth Jonathan Oath Saul Slain Surely Sware Sweareth Swore Voice Vowed
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David Death Die Ear Hearkened Hearkeneth Jonathan Oath Saul Slain Surely Sware Sweareth Swore Voice Vowed
1 Samuel 19
1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord














Saul listened
The Hebrew root for "listened" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also understanding and obeying. In the context of Saul's tumultuous reign, this moment of listening is significant. It reflects a temporary openness to counsel, particularly from his son Jonathan, who is a voice of reason and righteousness. This act of listening is a rare moment of clarity for Saul, who is often depicted as being driven by jealousy and paranoia. It serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding wise counsel, especially when it aligns with God's will.

to the voice of Jonathan
Jonathan, whose name means "Yahweh has given," is a pivotal figure in this narrative. His voice represents truth and loyalty, not only to his father, Saul, but also to David, whom he loves as a brother. Jonathan's advocacy for David is a testament to his integrity and his understanding of God's anointing on David. In a broader sense, Jonathan's voice can be seen as the voice of conscience and divine truth, urging Saul to act justly.

and swore an oath
The act of swearing an oath in ancient Israel was a solemn and binding commitment, often invoking the name of the LORD as a witness. The Hebrew word for "oath" is "שָׁבַע" (shava), which is related to the word for seven, symbolizing completeness and perfection. Saul's oath here is significant because it publicly commits him to a course of action that aligns with God's will, despite his personal animosity towards David. It highlights the gravity of making promises before God and the expectation of faithfulness to those promises.

As surely as the LORD lives
This phrase is a common oath formula in the Old Testament, emphasizing the certainty and seriousness of the statement. It acknowledges the eternal and unchanging nature of God, who is the ultimate witness to all human actions. By invoking the living LORD, Saul is reminded of the divine authority and the moral order established by God. This acknowledgment serves as a powerful reminder of the accountability that comes with leadership and the need to align one's actions with God's eternal truth.

David will not be put to death
David, whose name means "beloved," is central to God's redemptive plan for Israel. Saul's declaration here is a momentary alignment with God's purpose, recognizing David's anointing and future kingship. Historically, this statement is significant because it temporarily halts Saul's pursuit of David, allowing God's plan to unfold. It underscores the theme of divine protection over those whom God has chosen and the futility of opposing God's will. This assurance of life for David is a foreshadowing of the ultimate protection and deliverance found in God's sovereign plan for His people.

(6) And Saul hearkened.--The moving eloquence of Jonathan touched Saul's heart, and for a brief space something of the old noble spirit influenced the king, and he swore he would not attempt his life.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

listened
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to the voice
בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of Jonathan
יְהוֹנָתָ֑ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

and swore an oath:
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֣ע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

“As surely as the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

lives,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

David will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

be put to death.”
יוּמָֽת׃ (yū·māṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT History: 1 Samuel 19:6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan: (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 19:5
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