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1 Samuel 24:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 24:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father`s house.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father`s house.
1 Samuel 24:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not.
19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
20And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
21Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father`s house.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.
← 1 Samuel 24:201 Samuel 24:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, etc.] By the Word of the Lord, as the, Targum: that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me; as was usually done in despotic governments in the eastern countries, and is at this day, when one is advanced to the throne of another, by whom issue is left, who may be rivals and competitors with him: and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house; by cutting off his seed, the same thing in different words repeated, for the confirmation of it; children bear the names of their fathers, and by them their memory is perpetuated, and cutting off them is destroying the name of their parents.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Swear now ... - The same request which Jonathan made 1 Samuel 20:15. The deep, genealogical feeling of the Israelites breaks out here as so often elsewhere. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:21-22 Now swear to me . . . you will not kill my family: Having descendants was a way that Saul’s name would endure among the living. David had already sworn such an oath with Jonathan (20:14-17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Swear: Sa1 20:14-17; Gen 21:23, Gen 31:48, Gen 31:53; Heb 6:16 that thou: Sa2 21:6-8 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification