1 Samuel 19:4-5

19:4 So Jonathan spoke on David’s behalf ¹  to his father Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you. On the contrary, his actions have been very beneficial ²  for you. 19:5 He risked his life ³  when he struck down the Philistine and the Lord gave all Israel a great victory. When you saw it, you were happy. So why would you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death for no reason?”

1 Samuel 20:1

Jonathan Seeks to Protect David

20:1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, ⁴  “What have I done? What is my offense? ⁵  How have I sinned before your father? For he is seeking my life!”

1 Samuel 22:14

22:14 Ahimelech replied to the king, “Who among all your servants is faithful like David? He is the king’s son-in-law, the leader of your bodyguard, and honored in your house!

1 Samuel 24:11-15

24:11 Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn’t kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning ⁶  evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life. 24:12 May the Lord judge between the two of us, and may the Lord vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you. 24:13 It’s like the old proverb says: ‘From evil people evil proceeds.’ But my hand will not be against you. 24:14 Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? 24:15 May the Lord be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands!”

1 Samuel 24:17-19

24:17 He said to David, “You are more innocent ⁷  than I, for you have treated me well, even though I have tried to harm you! 24:18 You have explained today how you have treated me well. The Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me. 24:19 Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the Lord repay you with good this day for what you have done to me.

1 Samuel 25:28-29

25:28 Please forgive the sin of your servant, for the Lord will certainly establish the house of my lord, because my lord fights the battles of the Lord. May no evil be found in you all your days! 25:29 When someone sets out to chase you and to take your life, the life of my lord will be wrapped securely in the bag ⁸  of the living by the Lord your God. But he will sling away the lives of your enemies from the sling’s pocket!

1 Samuel 26:21

26:21 Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David. I won’t harm you, for you treated my life with value ⁹  this day. I have behaved foolishly and have made a very terrible mistake!” ¹⁰ 

[19:4]  ¹ tn Heb “spoke good with respect to David.”

[19:4]  ² tn Heb “good.”

[19:5]  ³ tn Heb “and he put his life into his hand.”

[20:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “and he came and said before Jonathan.”

[20:1]  ⁵ tn Heb “What is my guilt?”

[24:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “there is not in my hand.”

[24:17]  ⁷ tn Or “righteous” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NAB “you are in the right”; NLT “are a better man than I am.”

[25:29]  ⁸ tn Cf. KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV “bundle”; NLT “treasure pouch.”

[26:21]  ⁹ tn Heb “my life was valuable in your eyes.”

[26:21]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “and I have erred very greatly.”