Saul’s violent act reveals the tragic depth of his jealousy and seals Jonathan’s knowledge that David’s life is truly in danger.
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) In this tense moment, King Saul of Israel (who reigned around 1050 BC) reacts violently against his own son, Jonathan. The setting is in the royal court at Gibeah, a city located in the territory of Benjamin just north of Jerusalem. It was here that Saul and Jonathan resided as part of Saul’s kingship. Jonathan, having just pleaded for David’s innocence, realizes that his father’s anger has reached a point of deadly intent toward David.
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) This speaks to the drastic measure Saul was willing to take to preserve his own sense of power and control. In the larger context of 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan and David share a deep covenant of friendship, and Jonathan is trying to protect David from Saul’s escalating hostility. Jonathan’s discovery here confirms that Saul, consumed with jealousy and fear of losing the throne, is determined to eliminate David. Despite Saul’s role as the first anointed king of Israel, his opposition to David foreshadows the ultimate plan of God—David, who lived around 1010 BC and was anointed by the prophet Samuel, would rise to become king and later be named as an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:1).
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) also mirrors the reality that those faithful to God’s anointed can sometimes face threats or persecution (John 15:20). Jonathan’s determination to defend David reveals a heart that prioritizes God’s will over personal loyalty to the king. Their friendship is a powerful illustration of loving loyalty, as Jonathan enacts self-sacrifice and intercession despite his father’s power and rage. In the grand scope of Scripture, David’s ultimate kingship becomes a symbol of the enduring promise later fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who also faced intense opposition but followed the divine plan of redemption (Luke 22:52-53).
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1 Samuel 20:33 meaning
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) In this tense moment, King Saul of Israel (who reigned around 1050 BC) reacts violently against his own son, Jonathan. The setting is in the royal court at Gibeah, a city located in the territory of Benjamin just north of Jerusalem. It was here that Saul and Jonathan resided as part of Saul’s kingship. Jonathan, having just pleaded for David’s innocence, realizes that his father’s anger has reached a point of deadly intent toward David.
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) This speaks to the drastic measure Saul was willing to take to preserve his own sense of power and control. In the larger context of 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan and David share a deep covenant of friendship, and Jonathan is trying to protect David from Saul’s escalating hostility. Jonathan’s discovery here confirms that Saul, consumed with jealousy and fear of losing the throne, is determined to eliminate David. Despite Saul’s role as the first anointed king of Israel, his opposition to David foreshadows the ultimate plan of God—David, who lived around 1010 BC and was anointed by the prophet Samuel, would rise to become king and later be named as an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:1).
Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. (v.33) also mirrors the reality that those faithful to God’s anointed can sometimes face threats or persecution (John 15:20). Jonathan’s determination to defend David reveals a heart that prioritizes God’s will over personal loyalty to the king. Their friendship is a powerful illustration of loving loyalty, as Jonathan enacts self-sacrifice and intercession despite his father’s power and rage. In the grand scope of Scripture, David’s ultimate kingship becomes a symbol of the enduring promise later fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who also faced intense opposition but followed the divine plan of redemption (Luke 22:52-53).