1 Samuel 20:33

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:33 vividly portrays King Saul's escalating, murderous rage, manifesting in an attempt to violently strike his own son, Jonathan, with a javelin. This shocking act serves as the undeniable confirmation for Jonathan that his father's intent to kill David was not a fleeting impulse but a settled, unyielding determination, leaving no doubt about the mortal danger David faced from the king. This pivotal moment underscores the tragic depth of Saul's spiritual decline and solidifies Jonathan's commitment to protect his beloved friend.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the deteriorating relationship between King Saul and David, and the strengthening bond between David and Jonathan. Immediately preceding this, Jonathan has attempted to reason with his father about David's innocence and loyalty, following David's absence from the new moon feast. Saul's fury erupts when Jonathan defends David, leading to this direct assault. This incident follows earlier attempts by Saul to kill David with a javelin, as recorded in [1 Samuel 18:11](/1_samuel/18-11 "1 Samuel 18:11 - Saul Casts a Javelin at David") and [1 Samuel 19:10](/1_samuel/19-10 "1 Samuel 19:10 - Saul Tries to Pin David to the Wall"). The present verse marks a terrifying escalation, as Saul's violence is now directed at his own son, revealing the extent of his paranoia and the breakdown of his royal household. This act solidifies Jonathan's resolve to execute the pre-arranged signal with David, confirming the need for David to flee.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of a new moon feast was a significant religious and social occasion in ancient Israel, typically involving communal meals and sacrifices, where the king's presence was expected. Saul's behavior at such a public event, particularly his violent outburst, would have been highly irregular and deeply disturbing, signaling his instability to all present. The javelin (or spear) was a common weapon, but in the hands of a king, it also symbolized royal authority and power. Saul's repeated use of it as an instrument of personal rage, rather than righteous justice or warfare, highlights his tyrannical rule and spiritual decline. The concept of anointing, where Samuel had anointed David as the future king ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David")), stands in stark contrast to Saul's desperate attempts to cling to power, underscoring the divine shift in leadership.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes converging in this verse are Saul's unchecked **jealousy and paranoia**, which have consumed him to the point of irrational violence, even against his own son. This demonstrates the destructive power of sin and the consequences of rejecting God's spirit, as seen earlier in [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul"). Conversely, Jonathan's **unwavering loyalty and covenant love** for David are profoundly highlighted. His willingness to intercede for David, even at the risk of his own life, underscores the depth of their bond, which was sealed by a covenant in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - Jonathan's Covenant with David"). Finally, the verse subtly points to **divine protection and sovereignty** over David. Despite Saul's determined efforts, God's plan for David to become king remains unthwarted, as Saul's attempts to harm David (and now Jonathan) ultimately fail to achieve their murderous aim.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Javelin (Hebrew, _chanith'_):** This word refers to a spear or lance, a common weapon of the time, often associated with warriors and kings. In Saul's hand, it becomes a recurring symbol of his uncontrolled rage and murderous intent, first against David, and now shockingly against Jonathan. Its use here signifies a direct, lethal threat.
* **Smite (Hebrew, _lehakotow'_):** The infinitive form of the verb "to strike" or "to kill." It indicates Saul's clear and immediate intention to inflict a fatal blow upon Jonathan. This was not merely an act of intimidation but a genuine attempt at murder, revealing the depth of his derangement.
* **Determined (Hebrew, _kaltah'_):** This word, derived from the root "to complete" or "to consume," conveys the idea of something being settled, finished, or resolved. Jonathan's realization that Saul's intent was "determined" means it was not a momentary fit of rage but a fixed, unchangeable resolve to kill David. It signified a point of no return for Saul's murderous plot.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul cast a javelin at him":** This clause describes the king's sudden, violent action. "Him" refers to Jonathan, Saul's own son. The act is impulsive yet deliberate, reflecting Saul's loss of self-control and descent into madness. The javelin, a symbol of royal power, is here perverted into an instrument of familial violence.
* **"to smite him":** This phrase clarifies the deadly intent behind Saul's action. He did not merely throw the javelin as a warning or a display of anger, but with the clear purpose of inflicting a fatal wound upon Jonathan. This reveals the extreme and irrational nature of Saul's hatred, extending even to those closest to him who stood in the way of his obsession.
* **"whereby Jonathan knew":** This marks the moment of Jonathan's profound realization. The physical act of his father's attempted murder against him served as irrefutable evidence. Jonathan, who had previously tried to mediate and believe the best of his father, now sees the unvarnished truth.
* **"that it was determined of his father to slay David":** This final clause articulates Jonathan's chilling understanding. The javelin thrown at *him* confirmed the fixed, unchangeable resolve of Saul to kill *David*. There was no longer any room for doubt or hope of reconciliation; Saul's murderous intent against David was absolute and unyielding, necessitating David's immediate and permanent flight.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is starkly present, as the king, meant to protect his people and family, turns his weapon on his own loyal son. The javelin, a symbol of royal authority, becomes a **symbol** of Saul's tyrannical and destructive madness. The scene also serves as powerful **foreshadowing**, indicating the inevitable rupture between Saul and David and the necessity of David's life as a fugitive. The **dramatic tension** built through Jonathan's 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 uses **pathos** to evoke sympathy for Jonathan, caught 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 and paranoia, which can corrupt even the most sacred relationships and lead to profound moral decay. Saul's descent into madness, marked by his willingness to murder his own son, serves as a stark warning about the consequences of rejecting God's guidance and allowing evil to fester in the heart. Yet, amidst this darkness, the verse also highlights the enduring power of covenant loyalty and divine faithfulness. Jonathan's unwavering commitment to David, even at personal peril, mirrors the steadfast love that God shows His chosen ones. Ultimately, despite human depravity and murderous intent, God's sovereign plan for David's kingship remains secure, demonstrating that no human opposition can thwart the divine will.

* [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalms/37-32 "Psalm 37:32-33 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 27:6](/proverbs/27-6 "Proverbs 27:6 - Wounds of a Friend")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The violent outburst of King Saul in this verse serves as a chilling reminder of how unchecked sin, particularly envy and insecurity, can utterly corrupt a person, leading to irrationality, violence, and the destruction of foundational relationships. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any seeds of jealousy or bitterness that, if left unaddressed, could grow into destructive forces. 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 and integrity. 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. Finally, Jonathan's clear-eyed realization that Saul's intent was "determined" underscores the importance of discerning when a situation has become irrevocably dangerous and when it is necessary to establish boundaries or flee from harm, trusting in God's provision and protection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What unchecked emotions or insecurities in my own life might be leading me towards destructive behaviors or strained relationships?**
* **How does Jonathan's loyalty to David challenge my understanding of true friendship and covenant faithfulness?**
* **In what situations might I need to discern a "determined" threat and take decisive action to protect myself or others, rather than hoping for a change that will not come?**
* **How does this passage affirm God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen ones, even amidst intense human hostility?**

### FAQ

**Why did Saul try to kill Jonathan, his own son, for defending David?**

Answer: Saul's attempt to kill Jonathan was a horrific manifestation of his deep-seated paranoia, jealousy, and spiritual decline. He viewed David as a direct threat to his throne and dynasty, especially after Samuel had anointed David as the future king ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David")). When Jonathan defended David, Saul perceived his son's loyalty to David as an act of treason against his own 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 extent to which Saul's unchecked rage and fear had consumed him, leading him to attack even those closest to him. It underscored that his hatred for David was not merely a fleeting emotion but a fixed, murderous determination.

### 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, 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](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Saul's irrational rage against David, fueled by a desire to maintain his earthly kingdom, mirrors the world's hostility towards Christ, who came to establish a spiritual kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Yet, like David, Christ was divinely protected until His appointed time, ultimately fulfilling His mission through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Jonathan's willingness to risk his life for David's sake, embodying a love "passing the love of women" ([2 Samuel 1:26](/2_samuel/1-26 "2 Samuel 1:26 - David's Lament for Jonathan")), points to the supreme love of Christ, who laid down His life for His friends, and indeed for His enemies ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This"), [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Shows His Love")). 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](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - Jesus Delivered Up According to God's Plan")).

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 20:7

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.