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 is was determined of his father to put David to death.

And Saul caught up a spear to strike him. And Jonathan understood that it was determined by his father to kill David.

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

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.

And Saul, pointing his spear at him, made an attempt to give him a wound: from which it was clear to Jonathan that his father's purpose was to put David to death.

And Saul threw his spear at him to strike him. Then Jonathan realized that this evil from his father to kill David was determined.

And Saul picked up a lance, so that he might strike him. And Jonathan understood that it had been decided by his father that David be put to death.

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 of sceptres, and which they used as such; so Justin (h), speaking of the times of Romulus, says, that kings in those times had spears, as an ensign of royalty, which the Greeks call sceptres; and so the Greeks called sceptres spears (i):
whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David; for since he attempted to smite him, his own son, for speaking on his behalf, it might be well concluded, that such was his settled wrath and malice, that he would if possible kill David, could he get him into his hands.
(h) E Trogo, l. 43. c. 3. (i) Pausanias in Boeoticis, sive, l. 9. p. 859. Vid. Barthii Animadv. ad Claudian in nupt. Honor ver. 119.

Saul cast a javelin at him--This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy monarch was transported.

To smite him - Saul seemed to be in great care, that Jonathan should be established in his kingdom: and now he himself aims at his life! What fools, what worse than savage beasts does anger make.