1 Samuel 18:11

KJV

And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it]. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} cast {H2904} the javelin {H2595}; for he said {H559}, I will smite {H5221} David {H1732} even to the wall {H7023} with it. And David {H1732} avoided out {H5437} of his presence {H6440} twice {H6471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and he threw the spear, thinking, "I will pin David to the wall!" But David dodged out of the way twice.

Berean Standard Bible

and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

American Standard Version

and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:11 vividly recounts King Saul's first direct and murderous attempt on David's life, driven by consuming jealousy and paranoia. As David played the harp, Saul, in a fit of rage, hurled a javelin at him, intending to pin him to the wall. Miraculously, David evaded the deadly projectile not once, but twice, underscoring God's protective hand over His chosen servant amidst Saul's escalating spiritual and mental decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a dramatic escalation in the narrative of Saul's decline and David's ascent. It immediately follows David's triumphant victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath") and his subsequent rise in popularity, famously captured by the women's song: "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Women's Song")). This song ignited Saul's bitter envy, turning his initial favor towards David into deep-seated resentment and fear. The preceding verse, [1 Samuel 18:10](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10 - The Evil Spirit on Saul"), sets the stage, noting that an "evil spirit from the LORD" came upon Saul, causing him to prophesy erratically and leading directly to this violent outburst. This incident is not isolated but is the first of several attempts by Saul to kill David, establishing a pattern of divine protection for David against Saul's escalating madness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the javelin (or spear) was a common weapon of war and often a symbol of royal authority and power. King Saul is frequently depicted with his spear, signifying his kingship and military prowess (e.g., [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Second Attempt")). His act of casting it at David, a trusted member of his court and his son-in-law-to-be, was not merely an impulsive act but a deliberate, murderous assault by the highest authority in the land. This reflects the absolute power held by ancient Near Eastern monarchs and the perilous position of those who incurred their wrath. Furthermore, the concept of an "evil spirit from the LORD" is crucial. While we might interpret this psychologically today, in the biblical worldview, it signifies God's withdrawal of His Spirit from Saul and His allowance of a tormenting spirit to afflict him as a consequence of his disobedience and rejection as king (cf. [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit Departs from Saul")). This spiritual judgment manifests as Saul's irrational behavior and violent tendencies.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of 1 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the **destructive nature of envy and paranoia**, demonstrating how unchecked bitterness can corrupt even a king and lead to murderous intent, contrasting sharply with the divine favor resting on David. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine protection and sovereignty**. Despite Saul's determined efforts and superior power, David's life is miraculously preserved, signaling God's unwavering commitment to His chosen one and His plan for David to succeed Saul as king. This divine safeguarding is a recurring motif throughout David's flight from Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 23:14](/1_samuel/23-14 "1 Samuel 23:14 - God Delivers David from Saul")). Thirdly, the incident further reveals **Saul's spiritual and moral decline**. His violent outburst, driven by an evil spirit, serves as a stark manifestation of his rejection by God and the tragic consequences of his disobedience, contrasting with David's growing reliance on God and his righteous character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Javelin (חֲנִית, _chanith'_):** This term refers to a spear, a long, pointed weapon often used for thrusting or throwing. In the context of Saul, it is frequently mentioned as his personal weapon and a symbol of his royal authority and military might. His act of casting it at David is not merely an act of violence but a perversion of his kingly power, using an instrument of protection and leadership as a tool of murder against his own subject and future successor.
* **Smite (נָכָה, _nakah'_):** This Hebrew verb is broad, meaning "to strike, to hit, to beat, to kill." Here, combined with "even to the wall," it conveys Saul's absolute and fatal intention. He did not merely wish to injure David but to utterly destroy him, pinning him lifelessly against the wall with the force of the javelin. It speaks to the depth of his murderous rage.
* **Twice (פַּעֲמַיִם, _pa'amayim'_):** This numerical adverb is crucial. It emphasizes the repeated nature of Saul's attempt and, more significantly, the repeated instance of David's miraculous deliverance. It highlights that this was not a single, impulsive miss, but a sustained, deliberate effort by Saul that was thwarted by something beyond David's mere agility – implying divine intervention and protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul cast the javelin;":** This clause describes the king's direct, physical action. It signifies the culmination of his internal rage and paranoia, translating his murderous intent into a tangible, violent act. The immediacy of "cast" underscores the suddenness and ferocity of his attack.
* **"for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it].":** This parenthetical explanation reveals Saul's explicit, murderous intention. The phrase "smite David even to the wall" is highly graphic, indicating a desire not just to injure, but to utterly incapacitate and kill David by pinning him against a hard surface. It demonstrates the depth of Saul's hatred and his deliberate plan to end David's life. The javelin was not thrown idly but with lethal precision and purpose.
* **"And David avoided out of his presence twice.":** This clause highlights David's miraculous escape. The KJV "avoided out of his presence" (Hebrew: "turned aside from his face/presence") suggests a quick, perhaps divinely enabled, movement that allowed David to evade the deadly projectile. The repetition "twice" is critical, emphasizing that this was not a lucky accident but a pattern of preservation, indicating God's consistent and active protection over David in the face of Saul's repeated murderous attempts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this incident is the first of many attempts by Saul to kill David, setting the stage for a prolonged period of persecution and David's flight. It also foreshadows David's eventual kingship, as God's protection here demonstrates His commitment to His chosen one. **Irony** is also at play: the king, who should be a protector of his people, uses his royal authority and weapon to murder a loyal servant who has just saved the nation. Furthermore, the javelin itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing Saul's declining authority and his uncontrolled rage; it is the instrument of his kingship turned into a weapon of madness. David's ability to "avoid" the javelin "twice" can be interpreted as **Divine Intervention**, showcasing God's active hand in preserving David for his destined role, making David's agility a manifestation of God's sovereign protection rather than mere human reflexes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in 1 Samuel 18:11 profoundly illustrates the destructive power of unchecked envy and the unwavering nature of divine protection. Saul's descent into murderous rage, fueled by jealousy over David's popularity and success, serves as a stark biblical warning against the corrupting influence of sin, particularly when it takes root in the heart of a leader. Conversely, David's miraculous escape, not once but twice, powerfully testifies to God's sovereign care for His anointed. Even in the face of direct, lethal threats from the highest human authority, God's purposes for David could not be thwarted. This incident underscores that God is ultimately in control, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine plan, even through the chaotic and sinful actions of men.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "The Cruelty of Wrath and Fury")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling account of Saul's attempt on David's life offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it serves as a potent warning against the insidious nature of envy. Saul's jealousy, initially a seed of discontent, festered into a consuming bitterness that led him to irrational, violent, and ultimately self-destructive actions. We are called to guard our hearts against such destructive emotions, recognizing that comparison and covetousness can poison our relationships and lead us far from God's path. Secondly, David's repeated deliverance reminds us of God's unfailing protection over His children. In a world fraught with challenges, opposition, and even direct threats, this narrative instills confidence that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. His sovereign hand is always at work, preserving us for His purposes, even when circumstances seem dire. Finally, David's response—avoiding the attack rather than retaliating—provides a model of wisdom and reliance on God rather than immediate self-defense. It teaches us to trust God's timing and methods for deliverance, especially when facing hostility, echoing the New Testament call to overcome evil with good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I identify and address the roots of envy or bitterness in my own heart before they lead to destructive actions?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust more fully in God's sovereign protection and provision?**
* **When faced with hostility or injustice, how can I respond in a way that reflects God's wisdom and reliance on His power, rather than immediate retaliation?**
* **What does Saul's spiritual decline teach me about the importance of continued obedience and humility before God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul try to kill David?**

Answer: Saul's murderous intent stemmed primarily from intense jealousy and paranoia. Following David's victory over Goliath, the women of Israel sang, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "The Song of the Women")). This public acclamation of David's superior achievements deeply angered Saul, who saw it as a direct threat to his throne and legacy. His fear was compounded by the fact that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him and was now with David ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "The Spirit Departs from Saul")), leading to a tormenting "evil spirit" that brought him into fits of rage and irrational behavior, culminating in this violent attempt on David's life.

**What does "evil spirit from the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "evil spirit from the LORD" ([1 Samuel 18:10](/1_samuel/18-10 "The Evil Spirit on Saul")) is a theological statement, not necessarily implying God directly caused evil. Rather, it signifies that God, in His sovereignty, allowed or sent a tormenting spirit to afflict Saul as a consequence of Saul's disobedience and rejection as king. It represents God's judgment and the withdrawal of His blessing and protective presence from Saul. This spiritual affliction manifested in Saul's mental instability, paranoia, and violent outbursts, leading him to act against God's will and His anointed, David. It highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, even in judgment, to fulfill His ultimate purposes.

**How did David avoid the javelin twice?**

Answer: The text simply states that "David avoided out of his presence twice," implying a quick and agile movement on David's part. While human agility certainly played a role, the repeated nature of David's escape and the context of God's overarching protection over him strongly suggest divine intervention. This was not merely luck, but God's sovereign hand preserving David for his destined role as king. Throughout David's flight from Saul, God repeatedly protected him from various dangers, underscoring His faithfulness to His chosen servant (e.g., [1 Samuel 23:14](/1_samuel/23-14 "God Delivers David from Saul")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate, murderous rage of King Saul against David in [1 Samuel 18:11](/1_samuel/18-11 "Saul Casts the Javelin") serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the world's hostility towards Christ, the ultimate Anointed One. Just as Saul, the reigning king, sought to destroy David, the true king in God's eyes, so too did the powers of this world—represented by the religious and political authorities—conspire to eliminate Jesus, the rightful King of Kings. The repeated attempts on David's life by Saul find their ultimate parallel in the persistent, albeit ultimately futile, efforts of Satan and his earthly agents to thwart God's plan for His Son. From Herod's attempt to kill the infant Jesus ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Herod's Massacre of the Innocents")) to the numerous plots against His life during His ministry ([John 7:30](/john/7-30 "Jesus' Time Had Not Yet Come")), Jesus, like David, repeatedly "avoided" the presence of His enemies because His hour had not yet come, and God's protective hand was upon Him. Yet, unlike David, who was preserved from death, Jesus willingly embraced the cross, allowing Himself to be "smitten" for our transgressions ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions")), not by a javelin to a wall, but by the nails to the cross, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for salvation. His resurrection, however, demonstrates that no earthly power, not even death itself, could ultimately hold Him, proving Him to be the true and eternal King, victorious over all opposition ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 20:33

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

Psalms 37:32

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Psalms 37:33

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

John 8:59

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 10:39

¶ Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

Luke 4:30

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,