1 Samuel 19:5
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?
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשֶׂם֩
For he did put
H7760
וַיָּשֶׂם֩
For he did put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 23
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשׁ֨וֹ
his life
H5315
נַפְשׁ֨וֹ
his life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בְכַפּ֜וֹ
in his hand
H3709
בְכַפּ֜וֹ
in his hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
4 of 23
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
וַיַּ֣ךְ
and slew
H5221
וַיַּ֣ךְ
and slew
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 23
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י
the Philistine
H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י
the Philistine
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
7 of 23
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ
wrought
H6213
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ
wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָ֜ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה
salvation
H8668
תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה
salvation
Strong's:
H8668
Word #:
10 of 23
rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
גְדוֹלָה֙
a great
H1419
גְדוֹלָה֙
a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 23
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רָאִ֖יתָ
thou sawest
H7200
רָאִ֖יתָ
thou sawest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וַתִּשְׂמָ֑ח
it and didst rejoice
H8055
וַתִּשְׂמָ֑ח
it and didst rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
15 of 23
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
וְלָ֤מָּה
H4100
וְלָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תֶֽחֱטָא֙
wherefore then wilt thou sin
H2398
תֶֽחֱטָא֙
wherefore then wilt thou sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
בְּדָ֣ם
blood
H1818
בְּדָ֣ם
blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
18 of 23
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
לְהָמִ֥ית
to slay
H4191
לְהָמִ֥ית
to slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
20 of 23
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
1 Chronicles 11:14And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.1 Samuel 11:13And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.Matthew 27:4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.1 Samuel 20:32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?Judges 9:17(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.Psalms 119:109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.1 Samuel 28:21And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.Psalms 69:4They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.Jeremiah 26:15But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
Historical Context
Ancient legal advocacy often referenced precedent and previous testimony. Jonathan's reminder functioned like introducing evidence of prior approval. The appeal to shared history (thou sawest...didst rejoice) made Saul's reversal difficult to justify.
Questions for Reflection
- How do shared positive memories sometimes restore broken relationships?
- What does 'without a cause' teach about the fundamental injustice of persecuting the innocent?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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?
Jonathan's reminder of David's victory over Goliath - 'thou sawest it, and didst rejoice' - recalled Saul's own past approval. The phrase 'the LORD wrought a great salvation' attributes the victory to divine agency. Jonathan exposed the irrationality of now hating one previously celebrated. 'Slay David without a cause' (chinnam, freely/without reason) indicts Saul's injustice.