Definition: 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 theeward very good:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Samuel 19:4. It’s a really important part of understanding how David handled a difficult situation. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “Jonathan told David, ‘Don’t let the king ( Saul) make a mistake against your servant, or against David.’” Let's unpack it further: “Jonathan spake good of David” : Jonathan was speaking positively about David. He was being kind and supportive. “And said unto him…” : Jonathan is offering advice to David. “…Let not the king sin against his servant, against David;” : This is the core of the message. It means that Saul (the king) must not treat David unfairly or violate his rights. It’s a warning about potential abuse of power. “because he hath not sinned against thee…” : This is crucial. Jonathan isn't saying that David has deserved this punishment. He’s emphasizing that Saul hasn’t wronged David yet . It’s a gentle reminder that David has been honorable and good to Saul. “…and because his works [have] been to theeward very good:” : This is where it gets more profound. “To theeward” means "to the farthest end" or "toward the most desirable place." So, Jonathan is saying that Saul’s actions (his work) have been extremely good and positive – truly excellent. What does this all mean? It’s a crucial moment in David's story. It shows that David was a good and righteous person who wasn't seeking revenge or power over anyone. Jonathan is essentially saying, "Don’t let Saul become angry with you because of past wrongs." Why is this important? This verse sets the stage for David to become king. By being careful not to allow Saul to abuse his position, David was setting himself up for a successful and righteous reign – a very powerful message in the Bible! --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 Samuel? Talk about the context of this verse within the larger story?