1 Samuel 20:33

33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.

1 Samuel 20:33 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
English Standard Version (ESV)
33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.
The Message Bible (MSG)
33 Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. That convinced Jonathan that his father was fixated on killing David.
American Standard Version (ASV)
33 And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that is was determined of his father to put David to death.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
33 Saul raised his spear to strike him. Then Jonathan knew his father was determined to kill David.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
33 But Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father wanted 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.


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 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
32 “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father.
33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.
35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him,

Cross References 1

  • 1. ver 7; S 1 Samuel 18:11,17
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