1 Samuel 24:21

21 So give me your oath by the Lord, that you will not put an end to my seed after me or let my name be cut off from my father's family.

1 Samuel 24:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:21

Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord
By the Word of the Lord, as the, Targum:

that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me;
as was usually done in despotic governments in the eastern countries, and is at this day, when one is advanced to the throne of another, by whom issue is left, who may be rivals and competitors with him:

and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house;
by cutting off his seed, the same thing in different words repeated, for the confirmation of it; children bear the names of their fathers, and by them their memory is perpetuated, and cutting off them is destroying the name of their parents.

1 Samuel 24:21 In-Context

19 If a man comes across his hater, will he let him get away safe? so may you be rewarded by the Lord for what you have done for me today.
20 And now I am certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be made strong under your authority.
21 So give me your oath by the Lord, that you will not put an end to my seed after me or let my name be cut off from my father's family.
22 And David gave Saul his oath. And Saul went back to his house; but David and his men went up to their safe place.
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