Jonathan addressed his father in a formal manner and made an intercessory plea on behalf of David.1 His plea appealed to the kind of behaviour that is suitable for a king. A king must not use his power to shed innocent blood (see Deuteronomy 19:10; Deuteronomy 21:8; Deuteronomy 27:25; 1 Samuel 25:30–31) in an attempt to maintain his position.2 Certainly not the blood of a servant who has done him much good and has been used by the Lord. By standing up for David, Jonathan acted in the best interests of his father.3
4 And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.