1 Samuel 20:33

33 And Saul caught up a spear to strike him. And Jonathan understood that it was determined by his father to kill David.

1 Samuel 20:33 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:33

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him
So provoked to wrath was he by what he said. It seems by this that Saul always had a javelin or spear in his hand, which is to be accounted for by the custom of those times; in other countries, as well as in this, the kings used to carry spears in their hands instead of sceptres, and which they used as such; so Justin ^F8, speaking of the times of Romulus, says, that kings in those times had spears, as an ensign of royalty, which the Greeks call sceptres; and so the Greeks called sceptres spears ^F9:

whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay
David;
for since he attempted to smite him, his own son, for speaking on his behalf, it might be well concluded, that such was his settled wrath and malice, that he would if possible kill David, could he get him into his hands.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 E Trogo, l. 43. c. 3.
F9 Pausanias in Boeoticis, sive, l. 9. p. 606. Vid. Barthii Animadv. ad Claudian in nupt. Honor ver. 119.

1 Samuel 20:33 In-Context

31 For as long as the son of Isai liveth upon earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Therefore now presently send, and fetch him to me: for he is the son of death.

32 And Jonathan answering Saul, his father, said: Why shall he die? What hath he done?

33 And Saul caught up a spear to strike him. And Jonathan understood that it was determined by his father to kill David.

34 So Jonathan rose from the table in great anger, and did not eat bread on the second day after the new moon. For he was grieved for David, because his father had put him to confusion.

35 And when the morning came, Jonathan went into the field according to the appointment with David, and a little boy with him.