And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
Ver. 45. Shall Jonathan die?] By whose means we are yet alive: this were such an ill requital, as heaven and earth would be ashamed of.
As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head.] Here was oath against oath, and so sinning on both sides, as Chrysostom, a great inveigher against rash swearing, well observeth: like as boys pulling at a rope, some against others, do on both parts fall to the ground, if the rope breaketh.
For he hath wrought with God this day.] The Chaldee hath it, For it is manifest before the Lord, that he hath done it in ignorance this day. And this indeed was the best reason that could be given wherefore Jonathan hath not deserved to die. a A good soldier, and one that hath been very successful, may yet afterwards commit something that is worthy of death; as did Joab, and Marshal Biron lately in France.
So the people rescued Jonathan.] Which they should have done, not by force, but by humble supplication, as Chrysostom well observeth; since hereby might have followed civil dissensions and rebellion against the king.
a Peter Martyr.