I Samuel 18:11 · Bible study
1 Samuel 18:11 Commentary: Saul’s Attack and David’s Escape
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Saul hurls a spear at David, driven by jealousy. David escapes, twice. This study explores the sin of envy and God’s providential care.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Saul’s murderous jealousy erupts, but David escapes by God’s providence.
- Key words: spear (חֲנִית), cast (טול), turn/avoid (סָבַב).
- Main debate: Whether “twice” refers to two throws in one event or two separate occasions (this and 1 Sam 19:9, 10).
- Theological theme: Human jealousy cannot thwart God’s protective purposes for His anointed.
- Best use: A cautionary tale on envy and a reassurance of divine shelter.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
WEB World English Bible 2000
and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and Saul casteth the javelin, and saith, `I smite through David, even through the wall;' and David turneth round out of his presence twice.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Saul cast the spear, and thought, I will smite David and the wall. But David turned away from him twice.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And threw it, thinking to nail David to the wall: and David stept aside out of his presence twice.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y arrojó Saúl la lanza, diciendo: Enclavaré á David en la pared. Y dos veces se apartó de él David.
E lançou Saul a lança, dizendo: Encravarei a Davi na parede. E duas vezes se afastou dele Davi.
Saül leva sa lance, disant en lui-même: Je frapperai David contre la paroi. Mais David se détourna de lui deux fois.
und er schoß ihn und gedachte: Ich will David an die Wand spießen. David aber wandte sich zweimal von ihm.
En Saul schoot de spies, en zeide: Ik zal David aan den wand spitten; maar David wendde zich tweemaal van zijn aangezicht af.
e la scagliò, dicendo: “Inchioderò Davide al muro!” Ma Davide schivò il colpo per due volte.
I cisnął Saul włócznią, mówiąc: Przebiję Dawida aż ku ścianie; ale się uchylił Dawid przed nim po dwa kroć.
И бросил Саул копье, подумав: пригвожду Давида к стене; но Давид два раза уклонился от него.
掃羅 把 槍 一掄，心裡說，我要將大衛 刺透，釘在牆上。大衛 躲避 他 兩次。
And Saul, balancing the spear in his hand, said, I will give David a blow, pinning him to the wall. And David got away from him twice.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 18:11
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse records the moment Saul’s jealousy turned into murderous action. The immediate trigger was the women’s song (v7), “Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands”, which inflamed Saul’s envy. Adam Clarke notes that the javelin was an emblem of royal authority, constantly at hand, giving the scene a terrible irony: the symbol of kingship becomes a weapon against the king’s most loyal servant. The Cambridge Bible discusses textual issues (the Septuagint omits v9, 11) but credits the narrative with psychological realism: Saul’s rage fits could alternate with moments of sanity. Wesley and Gill both interpret “twice” as referring to two distinct attempts: this one and the later one in 1 Samuel 19:9, 10. Gill also mentions the view of Abarbinel that David, focused on playing, turned without noticing the spear, so his escape was entirely providential. Keil and Delitzsch defend the chronological sequence, arguing that several weeks could have passed between David’s victory and the women’s song. All agree that Saul meant to kill David and that David’s escape came from God’s protecting hand. The double escape is not luck but the Lord’s deliverance.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Two throws, one incident: The immediate context of v11 says 'twice,' and the scene in chapter 19 describes a similar event, which could be a separate occurrence.
- Two separate events: Wesley and Gill interpret 'twice' as referring to this episode and the later attack in 1 Samuel 19:9–10.
- Doublet of 1 Samuel 19: The Cambridge Bible notes that Thenius and others consider 18:9–11 a later addition or parallel account, supported by the Septuagint omission.
What is clear: Saul, driven by jealousy, attempted to murder David by throwing his spear, and David escaped unharmed through God’s providential protection.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The timeline of Saul's attempts | Saul tried to kill David multiple times. | Some see 18:11 and 19:9, 10 as two separate events; others see them as variant accounts of the same incident. |
| The meaning of 'evil spirit from God' | The spirit came from God as judgment on Saul's disobedience. | Christian traditions differ on whether it was a demonic being permitted by God or a metaphor for mental anguish viewed as divine affliction. |
| David's awareness during the attack | David escaped the spear. | Gill notes Abarbinel's view that David was so focused on playing he did not notice the spear and turned without intention; others assume he deliberately avoided the throw. |
| Chronological coherence of 1 Samuel 18 | The narrative presents a sequence of events from victory to jealousy to attack. | Some scholars (noted by Keil & Delitzsch) argue verses 9, 11 are a later insertion because the Septuagint omits them; others defend the Masoretic order. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, the king’s spear was more than a weapon, it was an emblem of royal authority. Adam Clarke cites ancient writers showing that kings carried spears as symbols of power, much like a modern scepter. Saul’s spear, always in his hand (v10), symbolized his right to rule. When he hurled it at David, he was using the emblem of kingship against the one the people were already calling a greater hero.
The setting is the king’s house, likely the royal residence at Gibeah. David served as court musician, playing the lyre to soothe Saul when he was troubled. Verse 10 says “an evil spirit from God” came mightily on Saul. This spirit is a recurring theme in 1 Samuel; it represents divine judgment on Saul’s disobedience, not a sinful impulse from God himself. The spirit brought agitation and paranoia, which the play of music could no longer calm.
The women’s victory song (v7) triggered Saul’s outburst. Such songs were common after battle, Miriam sang after the Red Sea (Exodus 15), and women danced after Jephthah’s victory (Judges 11). The comparison of “thousands” to “ten thousands” was conventional poetic parallelism, but Saul heard it as a threat: David was now the greater hero. His fear that David would take the kingdom (v8) becomes the engine of the rest of the story.
“Twice” is ambiguous. It could mean Saul threw twice on this single occasion, or that this was the first of two separate attacks, the second being in 1 Samuel 19:9, 10, where Saul again attempts to pin David to the wall. Wesley and Gill take the latter view. Either way, the repetition underscores the relentless nature of Saul’s danger and God’s equally persistent protection. David’s escape “out of his presence” suggests he physically left the room, not simply sidestepped. The spear likely stuck in the wall (as in 19:10), leaving a silent witness to the king’s homicidal rage.
Textual Notes
The Cambridge Bible notes that verses 9, 11 are omitted in the Septuagint (Codex Vaticanus). This has led some scholars to suggest the original narrative moved directly from verse 8 to verse 12, making Saul’s jealousy develop more gradually. However, the Hebrew Masoretic Text includes these verses, and they are consistent with the pattern of Saul’s violent outbursts seen in 1 Samuel 19:9, 10 and 20:33. The majority of manuscripts support the longer reading, and the consulted sources note no other significant variants.
Reception History
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, observes that “David’s troubles begin from his triumphs.” This theme has made the passage a staple in sermons on the dangers of human praise and the jealousy it can provoke. Early and medieval Christian interpreters often read Saul as a type of the devil and David as a type of Christ, persecuted but protected by the Father. The spear and the double escape have been cited as evidence that no weapon formed against God’s servants will succeed (Isaiah 54:17). Puritan expositors focused on the sin of envy and urged believers to guard their hearts against comparing themselves to others. The passage continues to be used in pastoral counseling to illustrate the toxicity of jealousy and the security of those who trust in God’s providence.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jealousy’s Destructive Power. Saul’s envy turned a king into a murderer. The women’s song exposed a heart that could not bear another’s success. Proverbs 27:4 says, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?” Saul’s spear is the physical proof of that truth.
- God’s Persistent Protection. David escaped twice, not by his own cleverness alone, but by God’s care. Psalm 37:32, 33 promises, “Yahweh will not leave him in his hand.” The double escape teaches that God does not intervene once and leave us; He keeps watch even when the spear keeps flying.
- The Misused Symbol of Authority. Saul used his royal spear to try to kill his most faithful servant. But God’s authority stands above any human throne. David was the Lord’s anointed, and no weapon formed against him would prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Five-point outline
- The Trigger. A song of praise ignites Saul’s fear and envy (v7).
- The Setting. The king’s house, his spear in hand, an evil spirit at work (v10).
- The Action. Saul hurls the spear, intending to pin David to the wall (v11).
- The Escape. David avoids the spear, once, twice, by God’s unseen hand (v11).
- The Outcome. Saul’s fear grows, David’s wisdom shines, and God’s purpose moves forward (vv12, 15).
Illustration hooks
- A manager feels threatened by a talented employee’s rising reputation and begins to undermine them publicly. The workplace becomes tense, and the manager’s own authority erodes.
- A parent compares two siblings, praising one’s achievements while ignoring the other’s. Jealousy festers, and family relationships crack.
- In any setting where people are praised, comparison can strike. The person who feels left behind may lash out, not with a physical spear, but with words or actions that aim to wound.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How could a king who was chosen by God become so murderous? Does God’s anointing guarantee a person’s character?
- If God was with David, why did he have to run? Why didn’t God stop the spear or remove Saul immediately?
- Does God ever send an evil spirit? How can a good God be involved with something evil?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows the rapid slide from public praise to attempted murder. Saul, once the Lord’s chosen king, becomes a threat to the very man who saved his kingdom. It raises hard questions about jealousy, God’s sovereignty, and how we respond when others receive more credit than we think they deserve. Use these questions to guide your group.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about the setting? Where is Saul, what is he holding, and what is David doing? (Read v10 aloud in your group.)
- What was Saul thinking when he threw the spear? How does the text reveal his intention? (Note the word “said” in his heart.)
- What do you think triggered this outburst? Go back to verses 6, 8 and discuss how the women’s song affected Saul.
- “Saul cast the spear … David avoided out of his presence twice.” What does the repetition of “twice” tell you about Saul’s state of mind and God’s care for David?
- Compare this event with 1 Samuel 19:9, 10. Why do you think the writer includes a similar story? What does that tell us about the pattern of Saul’s jealousy?
- In what ways do we see God protecting David in this chapter? What do verses 12, 14 add to the picture?
- When have you felt threatened or jealous of someone else’s success? How did you respond, and what might David’s escape teach you about trusting God in those moments?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 19:9 | An evil spirit from Yahweh was on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing music with his hand. |
| I Samuel 19:10 | Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence; and he stuck the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night. |
| I Samuel 20:33 | Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. |
| Psalms 37:32 | The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him. |
| Psalms 37:33 | Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. |
| Proverbs 27:4 | Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? |
| Isaiah 54:17 | No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says Yahweh. |
| Luke 4:30 | But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that Saul's javelin was more than a weapon; it was the ancient emblem of royal power, always carried by kings as a symbol of authority. In some cultures, spears were even worshipped as representing the gods themselves. By casting it at David, Saul was using the very symbol of his kingship to kill.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator observes that the verses describing Saul throwing a javelin at David are absent from the ancient Septuagint, making the narrative of Saul's growing hostility more gradual and natural. He also clarifies that here Saul merely brandished the spear as a threat, unlike a later occasion when he actually cast it. The word "avoided" simply means David withdrew or escaped.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And Saul tooke the speare, and sayd, I will smite Dauid through to the wall. But Dauid auoyded twise out of his presence.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that David may not have even known Saul was trying to kill him; the musician's eyes were fixed on his hands, and he turned aside without intention. This makes the escape entirely God's hidden providence, not David's quick thinking.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch defends the unity of this passage against critics who see chronological contradictions. They argue that Saul took David into his service during the war, but the jealousy and attack came later, at the victory celebration after the war ended. The narrative is arranged by theme, not strict daily sequence.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange traces the steady progress of sin in Saul’s heart: envy born of selfishness hardens into hatred, then into murderous intent that Saul tries to achieve through the Philistines so his own hand stays clean. Meanwhile David’s humble prudence and God’s presence only deepen Saul’s fear and alienation.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that David's troubles begin right on the heels of his triumph, springing from the very praise that elevated him. The women's song, though celebrating David's valor, unwisely set his ten thousands above Saul's thousands, planting the seed of murderous envy in the king's heart.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley emphasizes that Saul threw the javelin while completely under the evil spirit's control, not in a moment of passing anger. He also notes this happened twice, pointing to the repeated nature of Saul's murderous intent on separate occasions.