Resigned to the fact that David would be king, Saul sought to protect his descendants from any acts of wrath or vengeance from David in response to the sins of Saul.1 Normally, when a new monarch came into power, he killed all those who were a threat to his rule and he wanted David to promise that he would not do the same. He also appealed to his legacy, his name, understanding that the end of a name is the end of the existence of its bearer.2 David would do what he could for Saul and Jonathan’s descendants (2 Samuel 9:7), but he would not be able to save them from the consequences of their sin (see 2 Samuel 3:12; 2 Samuel 21:1–14).3
21 Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.”