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.

And Saul {H7586} cast {H2904} a javelin {H2595} at him to smite {H5221} him: whereby Jonathan {H3083} knew {H3045} that it was determined {H3617} of his father {H1} to slay {H4191} David {H1732}.

But Sha'ul threw his spear at him, aiming to kill; Y'honatan could no longer doubt that his father was determined to put David to death.

Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to put David to death.

Commentary

1 Samuel 20:33 (KJV) records a dramatic and violent outburst from King Saul, revealing the depth of his hatred and paranoia towards David. This verse marks a critical turning point in the relationship between Saul, Jonathan, and David, solidifying Jonathan's understanding of his father's murderous intent.

Context

This verse is situated within a tense narrative where King Saul's jealousy of David has reached a fever pitch. Despite David's unwavering loyalty and success, Saul sees him as a threat to his throne. Jonathan, Saul's son and David's closest friend, has been attempting to mediate and protect David, even confronting his father directly about David's innocence. The scene unfolds during a new moon feast, where Saul's anger erupts when Jonathan defends David's absence. Saul's previous attempts to harm David with a javelin are noted in 1 Samuel 18:11 and 1 Samuel 19:10, but here, he turns his weapon on his own son, Jonathan, for defending David.

Key Themes

  • Saul's Escalating Madness and Jealousy: This act demonstrates the consuming and destructive power of Saul's unchecked envy and paranoia. His rage is so profound that he is willing to attack his own son, who is innocent and beloved, simply because Jonathan shows loyalty to David. This illustrates the spiritual decline of Saul, often attributed to an evil spirit from the Lord that troubled him.
  • Jonathan's Unwavering Loyalty: Jonathan's steadfast friendship with David is a central theme throughout this period. His willingness to stand up to his tyrannical father, even at personal risk, highlights the depth of his covenant with David, as described in 1 Samuel 18:3. This event serves as a final confirmation for Jonathan that David's life is truly in danger from Saul.
  • Divine Protection over David: While Saul's intent to kill David is clear, God's protective hand is evident. Saul's attempts to harm David, and now even Jonathan, ultimately fail, ensuring David's survival for his future role as king, a destiny foretold when Samuel anointed him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "cast a javelin" refers to the Hebrew word ื—ึฒื ึดื™ืช (chanith), which denotes a spear or lance, a common weapon of the time. The intent to "smite him" (ืœึฐื”ึทื›ึนึผืชื•ึน - lehakotow) signifies a clear intention to strike down or kill. Jonathan's realization that it was "determined" (ื›ึผึธืœึฐืชึธื” - kaltah) emphasizes that Saul's murderous resolve against David was not a momentary impulse but a settled, fixed intention, leaving no room for doubt about the threat.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons:

  • The Destructive Nature of Envy: Saul's example serves as a stark warning about how unchecked jealousy and insecurity can lead to irrational behavior, violence, and the destruction of relationships, even within families.
  • Value of True Friendship: Jonathan's courageous loyalty to David, even when it put his own life at risk, underscores the profound value of genuine friendship and integrity in the face of adversity.
  • Recognizing Danger and Setting Boundaries: Jonathan's realization that Saul's intent was "determined" highlights the importance of discerning when a situation has become irrevocably dangerous and when it's necessary to protect oneself or others from harm.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 20:7

    If he say thus, [It is] well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, [then] be sure that evil is determined by him.

  • 1 Samuel 18:11

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 19:10

    And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
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