And Jonathan spoke to Saul his father and said to him, Do not let the king sin against his servant David — Jonathan's appeal (*al yachta hamelekh b'abdecha David*) names what Saul is attempting as sin (*cheta*), transgression, a violation not merely of courtesy or law but of covenant duty. The verb *dibber Yehonatan*, Jonathan spoke, invokes his role as advocate, speaker on behalf of the condemned. The *avdecha David*, his servant David, reminds Saul of David's status as the king's servant, one bound to him in covenant obligation.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse