BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 20› Verse 33

1 Samuel 20:33

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Samuel 20:33 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30Then Saul`s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother`s nakedness?
31For 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.
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?
33And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that is was determined of his father to put David to death.
34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
35And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
36And he said unto his lad, Run, find now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
← 1 Samuel 20:321 Samuel 20:34 →
← Full Chapter 20 1 Samuel Overview

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 a javelin at him to smite him, etc.] 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 f423, 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 f424: 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saul cast a javelin at him--This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy monarch was transported.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To smite him - Saul seemed to be in great care, that Jonathan should be established in his kingdom: and now he himself aims at his life! What fools, what worse than savage beasts does anger make. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:37”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:33 hurled his spear at Jonathan: See also 18:11; 19:10. • at last Jonathan realized: Jonathan had been reluctant to believe the truth about his own father (20:2-3), but he could no longer deny it.”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification