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1 Samuel 18:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 18:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
1 Samuel 18:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
10And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand;
11and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
12And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul.
13Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Jehovah was with him.
← 1 Samuel 18:101 Samuel 18:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul cast the javelin, etc.] Out of his hand at David: for he said; in his heart, determining in his mind: I will smite David even to the wall [with it]; he determined to cast it with such force and violence, that it should pierce through David, and enter into the very wall, by the side of which David was: and David avoided out of his presence twice; to escape the javelin cast at him; either he went out at the first time of its being thrown, and then came in again, when he threw it a second time at him, upon which he also withdrew; or this was one of the times, and the other some time after, of which (see <091909>1 Samuel 19:9). Abarbinel thinks, that David, while he was playing, his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul cast the javelin - Being now quite under the power of that evil spirit. Twice - Once now, and another time upon a like occasion, Sa1 19:10. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 18:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:11 In his jealousy and fear, Saul would have been happier with one dead David than with thousands of dead Philistines (18:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“cast the javelin: Sa1 19:9, Sa1 19:10, Sa1 20:33; Pro 27:4; Isa 54:17 And David: Psa 37:32, Psa 37:33; Isa 54:17; Luk 4:30; Joh 8:59, Joh 10:39 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 18:12”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification