TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
Complete Jewish Bible
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Saul cast a speare at him to hit him, whereby Ionathan knew, that it was determined of his father to slay Dauid.
Young's Literal Translation
And Saul casteth the javelin at him to smite him, and Jonathan knoweth that it hath been determined by his father to put David to death.
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Commentary on 1 Samuel 20 verses 24–34
24 ¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
31 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.
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction.
I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said of him. The king sat upon his seat, to feast upon the peace-offerings as at other times (Sa1 20:25), and yet had his heart as full of envy and malice against David as it could hold. He should first have been reconciled to him, and then have come and offered his gift; but, instead of that, he hoped, at this feast, to drink the blood of David. What an abomination was that sacrifice which was brought with such a wicked mind as this! Pro 21:27. When the king came to take his seat Jonathan arose, in reverence to him both as a father and as his sovereign; every one knew his place, but David's was empty. It did not use to be so. None more content than he in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent now but that he must have come at the peril of his life; self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In imminent peril present opportunities may be waived, nay, we ought not to throw ourselves into the mouth of danger. Christ himself absconded often, till he knew that his hour had come. But that day Saul took no notice that he missed David, but said within himself, "Surely he is not clean, Sa1 20:26. Some ceremonial pollution has befallen him, which forbids him to eat of the holy things till he has washed his clothes, and bathed his flesh in water, and been unclean until the evening." Saul knew what conscience David made of the law, and that he would rather keep away from the holy feast than come in his uncleanness. Blessed be God, no uncleanness is now a restraint upon us, but what we may by faith and repentance be washed from in the fountain opened, Psa 26:6.
II. He is enquired for the second day, Sa1 20:27. Saul asked Jonathan, who he knew was his confidant, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat? He was his own son by marriage, but he calls him in disdain, the son of Jesse. He asks for him as if he were not pleased that he should be absent from a religious feast; and so it should be example to masters of families to see to it that those under their charge be not absent from the worship of God, either in public or in the family. It is a bad thing for us, except in case of necessity, to omit an opportunity of statedly attending on God in solemn ordinances. Thomas lost a sight of Christ by being once absent from a meeting of the disciples. But that which displeased Saul was that hereby he missed the opportunity he expected of doing David a mischief.
III. Jonathan makes his excuse, Sa1 20:28, Sa1 20:29. 1. That he was absent upon a good occasion, keeping the feast in another place, though not here, sent for by his elder brother, who was now more respectful to him than he had been (Sa1 17:28), and that he had gone to pay his respects to his relations, for the keeping up of brotherly love; and no master would deny a servant liberty to do that in due time. He pleads, 2. That he did not go without leave humbly asked and obtained from Jonathan, who, as his superior officer, was proper to be applied to for it. Thus he represents David as not wanting in any instance of respect and duty to the government.
IV. Saul hereupon breaks out into a most extravagant passion, and rages like a lion disappointed of his prey. David was out of his reach, but he falls upon Jonathan for his sake (Sa1 20:30, Sa1 20:31), gives him base language, not fit for a gentleman, a prince, to give to any man, especially his own son, heir apparent to his crown, a son that served him, the greatest stay and ornament of his family, before a great deal of company, at a feast, when all should be in good humour, at a sacred feast, by which all irregular passions should be mortified and subdued; yet he does in effect call him, 1. A bastard: Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman; that is, according to the foolish filthy language of men's brutish passion now a day, "Thou son of a whore." He tells him he was born to the confusion of his mother, that is, he had given the world cause to suspect that he was not the legitimate son of Saul, because he loved him whom Saul hated and supported him who would be the destruction of their family. 2. A traitor: Thou son of a perverse rebellion (so the word is), that is, "thou perverse rebel." At other times he reckoned no counsellor or commander that he had more trusty and well-beloved than Jonathan; yet now in this passion he represents him as dangerous to his crown and life. 3. A fool: Thou hast chosen the son of Jesse for thy friend to thy own confusion, for while he lives thou shalt never be established. Jonathan indeed did wisely and well for himself and family to secure an interest in David, whom Heaven had destined to the throne, yet, for this, he is branded as most impolitic. It is good taking God's people for our people and going with those that have him with them. It will prove to our advantage at last, however for the present it may be thought a disparagement, and a prejudice to our secular interest. It is probable Saul knew that David was anointed to the kingdom by the same hand that anointed him, and then not Jonathan, but himself, was the fool, to think to defeat the counsels of God. Yet nothing will serve him but David must die, and Jonathan must fetch him to execution. See how ill Saul's passion looks, and let it warn us against the indulgence of any thing like it in ourselves. Anger is madness, and he that hates his brother is a murderer.
V. Jonathan is sorely grieved and put into disorder by his father's barbarous passion, and the more because he had hoped better things, Sa1 20:2. He was troubled for his father, that he should be such a brute, troubled for his friend, whom he knew to be a friend of God, that he should be so basely abused; he was grieved for David (Sa1 20:34), and troubled for himself too, because his father had done him shame, and, though most unjustly, yet he must submit to it. One would pity Jonathan to see how he was put, 1. Into the peril of sin. Much ado that wise and good man had to keep his temper, upon such a provocation as this. His father's reflections upon himself made no return to; it becomes inferiors to bear with meekness and silence the contempts put upon them in wrath and passion. When thou art the anvil lie thou still. But his dooming David to die he could not bear: to that he replied with some heat (Sa1 20:32), Wherefore shall he be slain? What has he done? Generous spirits can much more easily bear to be abused themselves than to hear their friends abused. 2. Into the peril of death. Saul was now so outrageous that he threw his javelin at Jonathan, Sa1 20:33. He seemed to be in great care (Sa1 20:31) than Jonathan should be established in his kingdom, and yet now he himself aims at his life. What fools, what savage beasts and worse does anger make men! How necessary it is to put a hook in its nose and a bridle in its jaws! Jonathan was fully satisfied that evil was determined against David, which put him out of frame exceedingly: he rose from table, thinking it high time when his life was struck at, and would eat no meat, for they were not to eat of the holy things in their mourning. All the guests, we may suppose, were discomposed, and the mirth of the feast was spoiled. He that is cruel troubles his own flesh, Pro 11:17.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–34. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Duties of the Clergy 3.21.124
For that commendable friendship which maintains virtue is to be preferred most certainly to wealth or honors or power. It is not apt to be preferred to virtue indeed, but to follow after it. So it was with Jonathan, who for his affection’s sake avoided neither his father’s displeasure nor the danger to his own safety.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Duties of the Clergy 2.7.36
Who would not have loved him [David], when they saw how dear he was to his friends? For as he truly loved his friends, so he thought that he was loved as much in return by his own friends. No, parents put him even before their own children, and children loved him more than their parents. Therefore Saul was very angry and strove to strike Jonathan his son with a spear because he thought that David’s friendship held a higher place in his esteem than either filial piety or a father’s authority.
John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON 1 CORINTHIANS 33.2
For love “does nothing unseemly,” but as it were with certain golden wings covers up all the offenses of the beloved. Thus also Jonathan loved David and heard the scorn of his father as one … “who has nothing of a man, but lives to the shame of himself and the mother who bore you.” What then? Did he grieve at these things, and hide his face and turn away from his beloved [David]? No, quite the contrary; he displayed his fondness as an ornament. And yet the one was at that time a king, and a king’s son, even Jonathan; the other a fugitive and a wanderer, David. But not even in this circumstance was he ashamed of his friendship. “For love does not act inappropriately.” This is its remarkable quality that it not only does not suffer the injured to grieve and feel irritated but even disposes him to rejoice. Accordingly, the one of whom we are speaking, after all these things, just as though he had a crown put on him, went away and fell on David’s neck. For love does not know what sort of thing shame is. Therefore it glories in those things for which another hides his face. The shame is in “not knowing how to love” rather than “incurring danger and enduring all for the beloved” when you do love.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:33 powerfully depicts the zenith of King Saul's irrational and murderous rage, culminating in a shocking attempt to violently strike his own son, Jonathan, with a javelin. This horrifying act serves as the irrefutable and final confirmation for Jonathan that his father's intent to assassinate David was not a fleeting impulse but a deeply settled, unyielding determination. This pivotal moment eliminates any lingering doubt about the mortal danger David faced, tragically underscoring Saul's profound spiritual decline and solidifying Jonathan's unwavering commitment to protect his beloved friend, even at immense personal cost.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its dramatic impact. Irony is starkly present, as the king, who is divinely appointed to protect his people and family, turns his weapon on his own loyal son. The javelin, a symbol of royal authority, becomes a chilling symbol of Saul's tyrannical and destructive madness, perverting its intended use. The scene also serves as powerful foreshadowing, indicating the inevitable and complete rupture between Saul and David and the necessity of David's life as a fugitive. The dramatic tension built through Jonathan's earnest attempts to intercede and Saul's escalating rage culminates in this violent climax, emphasizing the irreversible nature of Saul's spiritual and mental decline. The narrative effectively uses pathos to evoke profound sympathy for Jonathan, caught in the agonizing conflict between his father's madness and his covenant loyalty to David.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of unchecked sin, particularly envy, paranoia, and insecurity, which can utterly corrupt an individual, leading to irrationality, violence, and the profound decay of even the most sacred relationships. Saul's descent into madness, evidenced by his willingness to murder his own son, serves as a stark and timeless warning about the devastating consequences of rejecting God's guidance and allowing evil to fester in the heart. Yet, amidst this profound darkness, the verse also highlights the enduring power of covenant loyalty and divine faithfulness. Jonathan's unwavering commitment to David, even at immense personal peril, reflects the steadfast love and faithfulness that God consistently shows His chosen ones. Ultimately, despite human depravity and murderous intent, God's sovereign plan for David's kingship remains securely in place, demonstrating that no human opposition or evil can thwart the divine will and purpose.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The violent outburst of King Saul in this verse serves as a chilling and timeless reminder of how unchecked sin, particularly envy, insecurity, and a refusal to yield to God's will, can utterly corrupt a person, leading to irrationality, violence, and the destruction of foundational relationships. It challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts for any seeds of jealousy, bitterness, or unaddressed anger that, if left unaddressed, could grow into destructive forces in our lives and relationships. Jonathan's courageous and self-sacrificial loyalty to David, even in the face of his father's murderous rage, stands as a powerful testament to the value of true friendship, integrity, and covenant faithfulness. It calls us to consider what kind of friend we are called to be—one who stands for truth and righteousness, even when it is costly and puts us at personal risk. Finally, Jonathan's clear-eyed realization that Saul's intent was "determined" underscores the critical importance of discerning when a situation has become irrevocably dangerous and when it is necessary to establish firm boundaries or take decisive action to protect ourselves or others, rather than clinging to false hope for a change that will not come. In such moments, we are called to trust in God's provision and protection, even when the path forward is uncertain.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Saul try to kill Jonathan, his own son, for defending David?
Answer: Saul's attempt to kill Jonathan was a horrifying manifestation of his deep-seated paranoia, jealousy, and profound spiritual decline. He viewed David as a direct and existential threat to his throne and dynasty, especially after Samuel had anointed David as the future king 1 Samuel 16:13. When Jonathan defended David's innocence and loyalty, Saul perceived his son's actions as an act of treason against his own royal authority and a betrayal of the family's dynastic interests. In his deranged state, Saul saw Jonathan as enabling David, thus becoming an obstacle to his murderous intent. This act reveals the terrifying extent to which Saul's unchecked rage and fear had consumed him, leading him to attack even those closest to him. It unequivocally underscored that his hatred for David was not merely a fleeting emotion but a fixed, murderous determination, leaving no room for doubt about the mortal danger David faced.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's determined hatred for David, and Jonathan's sacrificial love and intercession, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate story of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Just as David, God's anointed king, was unjustly persecuted and sought for death by the reigning authority, so too was Jesus, the true King of Israel, rejected and condemned by His own people and the religious establishment John 1:11. Saul's irrational rage against David, fueled by a desperate desire to maintain his earthly kingdom, mirrors the world's inherent hostility towards Christ, who came to establish a spiritual kingdom not of this world John 18:36. Yet, like David, Christ was divinely protected until His appointed time, ultimately fulfilling His mission through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Jonathan's willingness to risk his life for David's sake, embodying a love "passing the love of women" 2 Samuel 1:26, points to the supreme love of Christ, who laid down His life for His friends, and indeed for His enemies John 15:13, Romans 5:8. The "determined" intent to slay David finds its ultimate parallel in God's predetermined plan for Christ's suffering and glory, through which salvation was secured for all who believe Acts 2:23. This ancient account thus becomes a powerful testament to God's sovereign plan, His unwavering faithfulness, and the preeminence of Christ's redemptive work.