Book of 1 Samuel - Chapter 20 - Verse 31

The verse "For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die." holds significant meaning in the biblical context. The statement comes from the Old Testament book of First Kings, spoken by King Saul to his advisor, revealing his fear and jealousy towards David, the future king anointed by God. Saul sees David as a threat to his own reign and believes that as long as David is alive, he will not be able to secure his kingdom. The verse showcases the power struggles and political intrigue prevalent in ancient Israel, where kings fought to maintain their authority and eliminate potential rivals. Saul's willingness to kill David reflects the lengths he is willing to go to protect his own power, ultimately leading to the tragic conflict between the two figures.

The theological interpretation of this verse revolves around the idea of divine sovereignty and the consequences of human actions. Here, King Saul is told by the prophet Samuel that as long as David, the son of Jesse, is alive, Saul's kingdom will not be established. This emphasizes the importance of God's plan and how human decisions can either align or disrupt that plan. Saul's decision to try to kill David reflects his disobedience to God's will and the consequences that follow. Additionally, the verse may also be seen as a foreshadowing of David's eventual rise to the throne and God's faithfulness to His promises.

In terms of word studies, the phrase "established" can be further examined to understand its implications in this context. The Hebrew word used here is often translated as "set up" or "confirmed," indicating a sense of stability and permanence. By disobeying God's command and seeking to kill David, Saul ultimately prevents his own kingdom from being firmly established. This highlights the importance of obedience to God's will in order to secure blessings and fulfillment of His promises.