1 Samuel 19:6

6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.

1 Samuel 19:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 19:6

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan
Not only heard him out what he had to say, but was affected with it, and wrought upon by it, and was convicted for the present that he was wrong in seeking the life of David, and therefore would desist from it; the Lord working upon his mind by what Jonathan said, and inclined him to listen to it, and act accordingly:

and Saul sware, [as] the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain;
this oath he added to what he said to Jonathan, for the confirmation of it; and which was taken either with a real intention to keep it, though that intention did not long continue; or with a view to deceive Jonathan, that he might acquaint David with it, and so prevent his flight and escape, and that he might the more easily fall into his hands; but the former seems rather to be the case.

1 Samuel 19:6 In-Context

4 Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Don't let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you:

5 for he put his life in his hand, and struck the Philistine, and Yahweh worked a great victory for all Israel: you saw it, and did rejoice; why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?

6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.

7 Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shown him all those things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as before.

8 There was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and killed them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.