Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 19:4
And Jonathan spoke 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:
4. spake good of David ] Had Jonathan simply advised David to flee, without endeavouring to bring Saul to a better mind, he would have acted to the prejudice of his father’s interests, by depriving him of the best support of his kingdom.
to thee-ward ] “Ward” is used as a termination denoting ( a) direction (Exo 37:9), ( b) as here, relation.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Sa 19:4
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father.
The blessed Peacemaker
I need not tell you how fast weeds grow; your own gardens show you every day: and if you have eyes to look within, your own hearts will show the same sad truth. Sauls evil eye had now grown into continual hatred–he cares not even to conceal from man the murderous desires of his heart; and being disappointed, both in his own skill and craft he now openly speaks to Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David. Well doth the Holy Ghost testify, Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, etc. And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan, etc. Blessed are the peacemakers! why? They shall be called the children of God. And is this the grand family likeness? how should we covet ill? Ah! surely if there is one feature that shines more brightly than another in our adorable elder brother, it is that of peacemaker. Do angels see their God cradled in a manger? it is as Peacemaker, while flocking multitudes strike up the new anthem which unites forever the choir below with the choir above, Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men. Do they see their maker agonised? a stranger to peace? a man of sorrows? It is that He might make peace forever by the blood of His cross, and proclaim peace to those who were afar off. Does He now appear as a Lamb slain? forever making intercession? For some David He is pleading, for some afflicted one He is interceding. (Helen Plumptre.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. Jonathan spake good of David] It is evident that Jonathan was satisfied that David was an innocent man; and that his father was most unjustly incensed against him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Jonathan spake good of David, which he could not do without hazard to himself. Herein therefore he performed the duty of a true friend, and of a valiant man.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4-7. Jonathan spake good of DavidHetold his father he was committing a great sin to plot against thelife of a man who had rendered the most invaluable services to hiscountry and whose loyalty had been uniformly steady and devoted. Thestrong remonstrances of Jonathan produced an effect on the impulsivemind of his father. As he was still susceptible of good and honestimpressions, he bound himself by an oath to relinquish his hostilepurpose; and thus, through the intervention of the noble-mindedprince, a temporary reconciliation was effected, in consequence ofwhich David was again employed in the public service.
1Sa19:8-17. SAUL’SMALICIOUS RAGEBREAKS OUTAGAINST DAVID.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father,…. Observed to him what a good man be was, and what good things he had done, what wisdom and prudence he had shown in the management of all his affairs, what valour and courage in all his expeditions, what faithfulness and integrity to his king and country in every instance:
and said unto him, let not the king sin against his servant, against David; by taking away his life; which would have been a great sin indeed, a sin against the law of God, which forbids murder, and which would have been attended with sad aggravations of cruelty and ingratitude:
because he hath not sinned against thee; had not disobeyed any of his orders, but faithfully served him in everything, and much less ever thought to take away his life, or seize his crown, as he might imagine:
and because his works [have been] to thee-ward very good; by slaying the Philistines, when he and his army were in the utmost terror; by driving away the evil spirit from him, through playing on his harp before him; as well as by commanding his troops, and leading them against the Philistines, and obtaining victory over them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jonathan then endeavoured with all the modesty of a son to point out most earnestly to his father the grievous wickedness involved in his conduct towards David. “ Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; for he hath not sinned against thee, and his works are very good (i.e., very useful) to thee. He hath risked his life (see at Jdg 12:3), and smitten the Philistines, and Jehovah hath wrought a great salvation of all Israel. Thou hast seen it, and rejoiced; and wherefore wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? ”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(4) Jonathan spake good of David.The heir to the thronethe one above all men likely to be injured by the growing popularity of Davidwith great power and intense earnestness, represented to his father the king the great virtues, the unrivalled gifts, and, above all, the splendid services of the young soldier whose life Saul was so anxious to cut short. See, urged the eloquent pleader for his friends life, on that ever memorable occasion when he fought the giant, when he aimed the pebble of the brook from his shepherds sling, he put his life in his hand. Had he missed a hairs-breadth, the giant would have slain him, and the deliverance then wrought for Israel would never have been accomplished.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 19:4 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:
Ver. 4. And Jonathan spake good of David. ] Though to the hazard of his own life, as 1Sa 20:32 ; 1Sa 20:37 . The picture of true friendship among the ancients was this, A fair young man, with head uncovered, with bosom open, so that his heart might be seen; whereupon was written, Longe, Prope, Far and Near. In his forehead was written, Aestas, Hyems, Summer and Winter; in the skirt of his garment, Mors et Vita, Death and Life.
And because his works have been to thee-ward very good.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
sin. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
spake good: 1Sa 20:32, 1Sa 22:14, Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12, Pro 31:8, Pro 31:9, Jer 18:20
sin against: 1Sa 2:25, Gen 9:6, Gen 42:22, 2Ch 6:22, 1Co 8:12, 1Jo 3:15
because his works: Psa 35:12, Psa 109:4, Psa 109:5, Pro 17:13, Jer 18:20
Reciprocal: Psa 7:4 – without Psa 34:21 – they Psa 38:20 – render Psa 109:3 – fought Pro 18:24 – that hath Ecc 3:7 – and a time to speak Dan 6:4 – but Joh 10:32 – for 1Jo 3:12 – And