Jonathan revealed the king's intention to David and bade him conceal himself while he would plead with his father to spare the life of the deliverer of Israel. He presented before the king what David had done to preserve the honor and even the life of the nation, and what terrible guilt would rest upon the murderer of the one whom God had used to scatter their enemies. The conscience of the king was touched, and his heart was softened. "And Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain." David was brought to Saul, and he ministered in his presence, as he had done in the past.

Jonatan røbede sin faders plan for David og sagde, at David skulle holde sig skjult, mens han selv indtrængende ville bede sin fader om at redde Israels befriers liv. Jonatan henledte kongens opmærksomhed på Davids indsats for at redde nationens ære, ja, nationen selv, og lod ham forstå, at han ville pådrage sig en frygtelig skyld, hvis han myrdede det menneske, som Gud havde benyttet til at slå deres fjender. Disse ord talte til kongens samvittighed og blødgjorde hans hjerte. Da svor Saul og sagde: "Så sandt Herren lever, han skal ikke blive dræbt!" David blev hentet tilbage og var hos Saul som tidligere.