But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction. I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said of him.
Commenting on 1 Samuel 20:24-34
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him,.... So provoked to wrath was he by what he said. It seems by this that Saul always had a javelin or spear in his hand, which is to be accounted for by the custom of those times; in other countries, as well as in this, the kings used to carry spears in their hands instead...
Saul cast a javelin at him--This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy monarch was transported.