And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

1 SAMUEL 20:33KJV
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1 Samuel 20:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:33 mean?

1 Samuel 20:33 describes how King Saul, in a fit of anger, threw a javelin at his own son Jonathan to strike him. This violent act made it clear to Jonathan that his father was fully determined to kill David.

The scene takes place during a tense meal where Saul is frustrated with Jonathan for defending David. Saul’s action—throwing the javelin—shows not just anger but a deadly seriousness about his intent to harm David. Jonathan, witnessing this, finally understands the depth of Saul’s resolve and the real danger David faces.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:33

  • "Cast" (יָטַל, yaṭal): This word means to throw or hurl, emphasizing the force and intent behind Saul’s action. It is not a casual toss but a deliberate, aggressive move.
  • "Javelin" (חֲנִית, ḥanit): This is a spear or weapon used for throwing. Saul’s repeated use of the javelin in earlier chapters shows a pattern of violent outbursts.
  • "Smite" (נָכָה, nākhah): This verb means to strike or hit with the intent to harm or kill. Saul’s aim was not to scare Jonathan but to seriously injure him.
  • "Determined" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word carries the idea of something being finished or completed. Jonathan realizes that Saul’s decision to kill David is final and unwavering.

Why 1 Samuel 20:33 matters

  • This verse makes it unmistakably clear to Jonathan that Saul’s hostility toward David is not just talk or temporary anger, but a settled intent to kill.
  • The violence Saul shows toward his own son highlights how far his obsession with David has gone, even to the point of threatening his own family.
  • This moment is a turning point in the story, confirming for Jonathan—and for the reader—that David truly is in mortal danger and that Jonathan’s loyalty to David will come at great personal cost.

Where else these words appear

“cast” Hebrew H2904 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:11 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.
  • Isaiah 22:17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
  • Ezekiel 32:4 Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.

“determined” Hebrew H3617 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
  • Jeremiah 4:27 For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
  • Ezekiel 13:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.

“javelin” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!