1 Samuel 20:33 Meaning: When a Father Throws a Spear at His Son
Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to put David to death.
And Saul casteth the javelin at him to smite him, and Jonathan knoweth that it hath been determined by his father to put David to death.
Then Saul cast the spear at him to smite him; and Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to put David to death.
Meaning in one sentence
Saul hurls a spear at Jonathan, revealing his murderous intent toward David. See what this moment says about unchecked anger and God’s protection.
Context
This verse falls near the end of a long, painful dinner. David has fled for his life, and Jonathan has agreed to test his father’s feelings toward David. At the new moon feast, David’s seat stays empty. Saul first assumes David is ceremonially unclean, but when the seat remains empty the second day, he demands an explanation. Jonathan gives the prepared excuse, David is at a family sacrifice. Instead of accepting it, Saul erupts. He calls Jonathan a shameful son and insists David must die. When Jonathan asks why, Saul picks up his spear and throws it at his own son. In that flash of metal, Jonathan knows for certain: his father is set on killing David.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for “cast” here is tul. It means to hurl with force, not just brandish or threaten. When Saul used the same spear against David earlier (1 Samuel 18:11, 19:10), it was no bluff. Now he throws it at his own son. The act is real, the intent deadly.
The word translated “determined” is kalah, which means to finish, bring to an end, or settle a matter. Saul’s decision to kill David is not a passing rage, it is a fixed resolve. Jonathan grasps this fully. The verb for “knew” is yada, the same word used for intimate knowing throughout the Old Testament. This is not cold information. It is a truth that cuts through Jonathan’s hope, leaving no room for denial.
These words show how sin settles in a heart. Anger becomes a purpose, and that purpose turns a father against his son.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions read this verse with sober recognition of what sin can do. The Anglican Cambridge Bible observes that Saul “brandished” or actually cast the spear, either way, the threat is violent. The Reformed Geneva Notes simply state that Jonathan knew his father was determined to kill David, taking the text at face value. Baptist commentator John Gill notes that kings in that time carried spears as symbols of royalty, so the weapon was always in Saul’s hand, ready for use. Wesleyan Matthew Henry emphasizes how anger “makes fools” of people, even kings. All agree: this is a tragic moment where Saul’s rebellion against God has consumed his love for his own family.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this scene as Saul merely venting his anger, throwing the spear in a symbolic gesture meant to intimidate Jonathan. In fact, the Hebrew verb tul describes a forceful, physical hurl. The text says the spear was cast “to strike him.” This was an actual attempt on Jonathan’s life. Jonathan’s certainty, he knew his father was determined to kill David, rests on the reality that Saul was willing to kill his own son to get to David.
Living This Out
Jonathan could have stayed silent. He could have let the insult pass and excused himself from the table. Instead, he spoke for David, knowing the risk. This week, you may face a moment where telling the truth will cost you. It might be with a family member who expects agreement, a friend who wants your silent support, or a coworker who needs someone to speak up for what is right. Jonathan did not need to be loud or dramatic. He simply asked, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” That question cost him his father’s love. But it kept his integrity whole. You can ask a single honest question this week, even if it stirs the room. God sees the courage behind it.
Main takeaway: Unchecked hatred can turn a father against his own son, but one faithful question can keep a heart anchored in what is right.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
King Saul was so angry at Jonathan that he threw his spear at him. Jonathan was sad and scared. He knew his father wanted to hurt David. That made him very sad.
For ages 9, 12
Jonathan dared to stand up for his friend David even when his own father was furious. He asked a simple question: “What has David done wrong?” Sometimes standing up for a friend means risking something important. Jonathan lost his place at the table, but he kept his honor. God honors those who speak the truth, even when it is hard.
Questions People Ask
Why did Saul throw a spear at Jonathan?
Saul was furious because Jonathan defended David. When Saul demanded David be brought to him for execution, Jonathan asked what David had done to deserve death. Saul’s rage turned on his own son, and he tried to kill him with the spear he always carried as a royal symbol.
Was Saul really trying to kill Jonathan?
Yes. The Hebrew word for “cast” (tul) means to hurl with force, and the verse says the spear was thrown to strike him. This was not a threat or a warning, it was an attempt on his life. Jonathan understood this and knew his father was fully determined to kill David as well.
What does “determined” mean in this verse?
The Hebrew word kalah means to finish, complete, or bring something to a settled end. Saul’s intention to kill David was not a passing emotion; it was a fixed decision. Jonathan now knew there was no hope of changing his father’s mind.
How did this change Jonathan’s relationship with his father?
From this moment on, Jonathan knew his father was irreconcilably set against David. The deep bond between father and son was broken by Saul’s hatred. Jonathan chose to remain loyal to David, even though it meant losing his place in the royal family.
What can this verse teach us about anger?
This verse is a stark warning about what happens when anger is fed and left unchecked. Saul’s fury turned him not only against an innocent man (David) but against his own child. It shows how sin can consume a person’s reason and love. The Bible calls us to deal with anger quickly, before it takes root and destroys relationships.
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