I Samuel 19:10 · Bible study
1 Samuel 19:10 Commentary: Divine Escape from Saul's Spear
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of 1 Samuel 19:10: Saul's second spear-throw, David's escape, and the interplay of divine protection and human hostility.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Saul makes a second, murderous attempt on David's life; David slips away, and the spear embeds in the wall.
- Key words: Paṭar (slip away/escape), action of freeing oneself; qir (wall), the object that receives the blow instead of David.
- Main debate: The role of divine agency in the ‘evil spirit from Yahweh’, judgment or permission?
- Theological theme: Divine protection within escalating human hostility; the cost of faithfulness.
- Best use: A sermon or study on trusting God when authority turns dangerous, and on the wisdom of strategic withdrawal.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But the spear struck the wall and David eluded him, ran away, and escaped that night.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and Saul seeketh to smite with the javelin through David, and through the wall, and he freeth himself from the presence of Saul, and he smiteth the javelin through the wall; and David hath fled and escapeth during that night.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Saul sought to smite David and the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the spear into the wall. And David fled, and escaped that night.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Saul endeavoured to nail David to the wall with his spear. And David slipt away out of the presence of Saul: and the spear missed him, and was fastened in the wall, and David fled, and escaped that night.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y Saúl procuró enclavar á David con la lanza en la pared; mas él se apartó de delante de Saúl, el cual hirió con la lanza en la pared; y David huyó, y escapóse aquella noche.
E Saul procurou encravar a Davi com a lança na parede; mas ele se afastou de diante de Saul, o qual feriu com a lança na parede; e Davi fugiu, e escapou-se aquela noite.
David jouait, et Saül voulut le frapper avec sa lance contre la paroi. Mais David se détourna de lui, et Saül frappa de sa lance la paroi. David prit la fuite et s’ échappa pendant la nuit.
Und Saul trachtete, David mit dem Spieß an die Wand zu spießen. Er aber riß sich von Saul, und der Spieß fuhr in die Wand. David aber floh und entrann dieselbe Nacht.
Saul nu zocht met de spies David aan den wand te spitten, doch hij ontweek van het aangezicht van Saul, die met de spies in den wand sloeg. Toen vlood David, en ontkwam in dienzelfden nacht.
E Saul cercò d’inchiodar Davide al muro con la lancia, ma Davide schivò il colpo, e la lancia diè nel muro. Davide fuggì e si mise in salvo in quella stessa notte.
I myślił Saul przebić Dawida włócznią aż ku ścianie: ale się uchylił przed Saulem, i uderzyła włócznia w ścianę, a Dawid uciekł, i uszedł onej nocy.
И хотел Саул пригвоздить Давида копьем к стене, но Давид отскочил от Саула, и копье вонзилось в стену; Давид же убежал и спасся в ту ночь.
掃羅 用槍 想要 刺透 大衛，釘在牆上；他卻躲開，掃羅 的 槍 刺 入牆內。當 夜 大衛 逃走，躲避了。
And Saul would have sent his spear through him, pinning him to the wall, but he got away and the spear went into the wall: and that night David went in flight and got away.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 19:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that this verse describes a second, more violent attempt on David's life, following the earlier incident in 1 Samuel 18:11. The spear striking the wall instead of David is read as a moment of deliverance, whether attributed to David's agility, divine providence, or both. Adam Clarke notes David's alertness and quickness: 'His agility of body was the means of his preservation at this time.' Gill emphasises Saul's rage and physical strength, throwing the spear with such force it stuck. Matthew Henry frames the escape as a mercy: God protected David while he was in the line of duty, playing music for Saul. Keil and Delitzsch connect the event to the ‘evil spirit from Yahweh’ as a judicial hardening. The consensus sees this as a clear escalation, Saul now throws the spear not in a momentary fit but with murderous intent, and David’s flight marks the beginning of his years as a fugitive.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine judgment view: The ‘evil spirit from Yahweh’ is a judicial act (Keil & Delitzsch). God hardens Saul as judgment for his rebellion, leading to this murder attempt.
- Divine permission view: The spirit is from Satan but under God's permission, consistent with Job 1 and 2. God does not cause evil but allows it for His purposes.
What is clear: It is clear that Saul intended to kill David with the spear, that David escaped unharmed, and that this event set David on the path of a fugitive — and that God was at work protecting His anointed.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The nature of the evil spirit from Yahweh | The spirit is a real affliction that drives Saul to violence and is ultimately under God's sovereignty. | Some traditions (e.g., Reformed) see this as God actively sending a spirit of judgment, while others understand it as God permitting Satanic oppression as discipline. |
| David's escape: human agility or divine providence | God preserved David; the escape was not accidental. | Adam Clarke credits David's physical quickness; Keil and Delitzsch emphasise God's overarching plan. Both are affirmed across traditions, with different emphasis. |
| Timing of the flight and the phrase 'that night' | David fled the same evening. | The Cambridge Bible notes a Septuagint variant that joins 'that night' to the following verse, implying a later departure. Most Hebrew manuscripts attach it to the escape. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The verse sits within a cycle of escalating tension. In chapter 18, David had already dodged a spear thrown by Saul (1 Samuel 18:11). Now, after a fresh military victory over the Philistines (v.8), Saul is again afflicted by an ‘evil spirit from Yahweh’ (v.9). The phrase is thick with theological weight: Hebrew historians understood such afflictions as a sign that God had withdrawn His favour from Saul and was actively giving him over to the consequences of his impenitence (Keil & Delitzsch). Saul sits in his house with his spear in hand, a postured ruler, suspicious and violent. David, as before, plays the harp to calm the king. The spear becomes a symbol of authority turned murderous.
Ancient readers would have recognised the setting: a royal audience with armed attendants nearby, but the spear is the king's own weapon. David's escape is described with the verb paṭar, meaning to slip away or free oneself. It suggests a sudden, evasive movement, not a polite exit. The wall absorbs the blow, the Hebrew qir (wall) appears twice, emphasising that the missile missed its human target and struck masonry instead. This is the moment David realises he cannot remain in Saul's court. The narrator adds ‘that night’, a detail that anchors the flight and leads into Michal's help (v.12). The whole scene dramatises the collapse of Saul's kingship: the anointed king trying to kill his anointed successor.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for verse 10 itself. Cambridge Bible suggests that the Septuagint (LXX) may connect ‘that night’ to the beginning of the next sentence, reading ‘and it came to pass that night that Saul…’ But the Masoretic Text clearly reads ‘that night’ as the time of David's escape. The Hebrew text is otherwise stable, with no major manuscript disagreements.
Reception History
This verse has been read across church history as a vivid example of the righteous sufferer delivered by God. Early Christian interpreters saw a type of Christ: the anointed one threatened by a jealous king, escaping until the appointed time. In the Middle Ages, the image of the spear stuck in the wall was used in spiritual writings as a symbol of thwarted malice, God turns the enemy’s weapon into a monument. The Reformers, especially Calvin and Luther, pointed to God's hidden providence: the spear missed because God had other plans for David. In modern preaching, the story remains a touchstone for those facing persecution from within the very institutions meant to protect them, reminding hearers that deliverance may come through a narrow window and a quick step.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The king's weapon, Saul’s spear represents the abuse of authority and the madness of jealousy. When power turns violent, God’s chosen are not abandoned.
- The wall receives the blow, The spear misses David but strikes the wall. This is a picture of God’s protection in the midst of danger. The crisis is real, but the deliverance is just as real.
- The flight that begins the fugitive years, David flees not in cowardice but in wisdom. The righteous sometimes must run, trusting God rather than confronting madness head-on.
Five-point outline
- Context of conflict, The victory over the Philistines fuels Saul’s envy (v.8). Success can provoke attack.
- The evil spirit, The text names a higher cause. Saul is not merely moody; spiritual forces are involved. God can permit even enmity against His servant.
- David’s posture, He remains in the room, serving the king with music. Faithfulness to duty does not guarantee safety.
- The narrow escape, David slips away. The Hebrew verb paṭar (to free oneself) suggests speed and awareness.
- Aftermath, The spear in the wall becomes a monument to hatred, but also to the fact that God’s servant is not yet finished.
Illustration hooks
- Workplace hostility, A competent employee repeatedly undermined by a jealous supervisor. Every success is met with a sharper attack. Wisdom often means withdrawal, not retaliation.
- Family conflict, A family member who turns on you without explanation. You keep serving faithfully, until one day the danger becomes undeniable and you leave.
- Close calls, A near-miss car accident or a medical scare. The wall got hit; you walked away. The feeling that something, someone, was watching over you.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would God send an evil spirit? How do we reconcile that with a good God?
- If God had anointed David king, why didn't He protect him from the spear altogether?
- When is it right to flee from a dangerous situation, and when should we stay and fight?
Leading a Discussion
This story pushes us to think about how God works even in the chaos of human sin. David is anointed but not yet crowned; his path to the throne runs through a narrow escape. Saul is a king unraveling. The spear misses, but the pain is real. As you discuss, notice how the narrator holds together both the human cause (Saul's envy) and the divine cause (the evil spirit from Yahweh). Neither cancels the other.
Discussion questions
- What does the setting, Saul with his spear, David playing music, tell you about the atmosphere in the court?
- How does David's escape from this spear differ from the first attempt in chapter 18? What has changed?
- Read verse 9: 'An evil spirit from Yahweh was on Saul.' How do you understand that phrase? What does it teach about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
- Why does the writer include the detail that the spear stuck in the wall? What is the effect?
- David fled that night. Was this faith or fear? Support your answer from the passage.
- How does this story prepare you for the fact that faithfulness does not always prevent suffering?
- Where in your own life do you need to recognise a 'spear in the wall', a moment when God made a way of escape?
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 18:11 | and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice. |
| I Samuel 19:6 | Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, “As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.” |
| 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. |
| Job 5:14 | They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night. |
| Job 5:15 | But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty. |
| Psalms 18:17 | He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. |
| Psalms 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. |
| Psalms 124:7 | Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. |
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
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes that David's constant watchfulness and physical quickness, not any miracle, were the means of his escape. Saul's untrustworthiness forced David to stay perpetually alert, and his agility of body directly saved him at that moment.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that David’s flight marked the start of his life as a fugitive, but not because of any wrongdoing on his part. David was an outcast through no fault of his own.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible suggests that the phrase "that night" may belong to the beginning of the next clause, as the Septuagint reads, rather than to the preceding sentence. This re-punctuation clarifies the sequence of events.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The note highlights the near miss: Saul intended to pin David to the wall, but David turned aside, and the spear struck only the wall. David fled and escaped that same night, showing his quick response to the danger.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights David's quickness in dodging Saul's javelin and Saul's furious strength that drove the weapon into the wall. He notes the incident happened near evening, which allowed David to flee to his own house and escape the immediate danger.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch distinguish between Ruach Jehovah and Ruach Elohim: this attack of madness was inflict-ed directly by Jehovah, not merely by an evil spirit from God. They read Saul's worsening melancholy as a divine judgment for his impenitence, hardening his heart. The historian's remark about David escaping that same night anticipates events, a Hebrew narrative technique.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that David did not stop serving Saul even after being repaid evil for good. He remained bold in battle against the Philistines and cheerful in playing music for the disturbed king, trusting God with his safety while refusing to abandon his duty out of sullenness.