1 Samuel 19 10

1 Samuel 19:10 kjv

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 19:10 nkjv

Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul's presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 19:10 niv

Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

1 Samuel 19:10 esv

And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 19:10 nlt

Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 10 Meaning

1 Samuel 19:10 describes King Saul's direct attempt to murder David with a spear, an act driven by deep-seated jealousy and the influence of a harmful spirit. David narrowly escapes this deadly assault by skillfully evading Saul, causing the spear to strike the wall instead of him. Following this life-threatening encounter, David immediately flees Saul's presence under the cover of night, marking the beginning of his period as a fugitive. The verse highlights Saul's murderous intent and God's miraculous protection over David.

1 Samuel 19 10 Context

1 Samuel 19:10 takes place amidst the escalating tension between King Saul and David. Saul's immense jealousy over David's military successes, popular acclaim, and God's evident favor had consumed him. Earlier, in chapter 18, after David's victory over Goliath, Saul had grown suspicious and made his first recorded attempt to kill David with a spear (1 Sam 18:11), which David also escaped. This current verse details the second such attempt.

Chapter 19 begins by highlighting Saul's explicit intention to kill David, seeking assistance from Jonathan and his servants. While Jonathan initially intercedes, successfully convincing Saul for a brief period (1 Sam 19:4-7), Saul's malevolent spirit soon resurfaces. The direct context is that David is playing the lyre for Saul, seeking to relieve the harmful spirit troubling him (1 Sam 19:9), an act of loyal service that Saul brutally abuses. This event precipitates David's full-fledged flight, signifying a decisive break from Saul's court and setting the stage for years of being a fugitive.

Culturally, a spear was a primary weapon and a symbol of power, especially for a king (e.g., Saul's spear at his head, 1 Sam 26:7). Its use here by Saul demonstrates a deep misuse of his royal authority and power to commit a treacherous act within his own household. Historically, kings had absolute power, and jealousy could often lead to such violent outbursts against perceived rivals, but David's life was protected by God's overarching plan for him.

1 Samuel 19 10 Word analysis

• And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear:

  • And Saul (וְשָׁאוּל, wəšāʾûl): The personal name identifies the perpetrator, the reigning king, emphasizing his direct agency in the act of malice. This highlights the great danger to David.
  • sought to pin (וַיְבַקֵּשׁ לְהַכֹּת, wayyəḇaqqēš ləhakkōṯ): Literally "sought to strike" or "intended to strike." The rendering "pin" effectively conveys the intent behind the previous spear attack (1 Sam 18:11) and this one: to nail David to the wall, implying a deadly and inescapable blow. This demonstrates premeditated, albeit rage-filled, murderous intent.
  • David (דָּוִד, Dāwiḏ): God's anointed, the object of Saul's deadly jealousy, highlighting the profound conflict between divine election and human rejection.
  • to the wall (בַּקִּיר, baqqîr): Implies a very close range and David's perceived vulnerability or entrapment in the confined space, making escape seem impossible.
  • with the spear (בַּחֲנִית, baḥanîṯ): The word ḥanîṯ refers to a long, throwing spear. This specific weapon often associated with Saul as king becomes an instrument of personal hatred, contrasting with David's humble sling or sword used against the nation's enemies. Its presence here underscores the grave, direct physical threat.

• but he slipped away from Saul's presence, and he struck the spear into the wall:

  • but he slipped away (וַיִּמָּלֵט, wayyimmāḷēṭ): "He escaped" or "slipped free." This verb denotes a rapid, agile, and successful evasion. It emphasizes the miraculous nature of David's escape, indicating divine protection despite Saul's forceful intent.
  • from Saul's presence (מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל, mippənê Šāʾûl): "From the face of Saul." This vividly portrays the immediacy of the threat and the closeness of the attacker. It signifies David's removal from direct harm by his tormentor.
  • and he struck the spear (וַיַּכֵּה אֶת־הַחֲנִית, wayyakkeh ʾeṯ-haḥanîṯ): This refers to Saul's action of striking with the spear. His aim was for David, but David's escape caused it to miss him. It confirms the force and intent of Saul's blow.
  • into the wall (בַּקִּיר, baqqîr): The spear embedding itself into the wall is concrete evidence of Saul's failed assassination attempt and David's narrow escape. It marks the precise spot David would have been. It visually demonstrates Saul's frustration and the unfulfilled malice.

• and David fled and escaped that night:

  • and David fled (וַיִּבְרַח דָּוִד, wayyiḇraḥ Dāwiḏ): The verb bāraḥ means "to flee" or "run away." This signifies the active and urgent physical act of leaving the danger zone.
  • and escaped (וַיִּמָּלֵט, wayyimmāḷēṭ): The repetition of this verb (first for "slipped away") reinforces the totality and success of David's escape. It emphasizes that he was free from harm. The use of two distinct verbs for fleeing (baraḥ and māḷēṭ) underscores the swiftness, completeness, and decisiveness of his departure.
  • that night (בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא, ballaylāh hûʾ): Specifies the timing of David's flight. Night provided concealment, emphasizing the perilous circumstances and the immediate necessity of his departure under cover of darkness to avoid detection and further pursuit.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear": This phrase details Saul's malevolent intent and violent action, showcasing his direct personal assault on David. It reveals the king's jealousy transforming into murderous aggression. The immediate proximity and choice of weapon underline the intensity and desperation of Saul's rage.
• "but he slipped away from Saul's presence, and he struck the spear into the wall": This part highlights the pivotal moment of divine intervention and David's quick action. David's sudden evasion thwarts Saul's precise deadly aim. The image of the spear striking the wall starkly illustrates Saul's failed attempt and his thwarted fury.
• "and David fled and escaped that night": This concluding phrase describes the immediate consequence of the failed assassination. David's decisive action to leave "that night" signifies a strategic departure from the hostile court and marks the official beginning of his period as a fugitive.

1 Samuel 19 10 Bonus section

• The parallel to 1 Samuel 18:11 ("And Saul cast the spear, for he thought, 'I will pin David to the wall.'") underscores the deliberate and recurring nature of Saul's homicidal intent. This wasn't a one-time fit of rage but a persistent, life-threatening danger.
• The detail "that night" emphasizes the urgency and danger of David's escape. Fleeing under the cover of darkness would have been essential for concealment from Saul's messengers, who were likely ordered to pursue him.
• Saul's use of the spear against David while David was playing music for him (1 Sam 19:9) highlights a deep betrayal and an abuse of power. It signifies Saul's spiritual degradation, attacking a faithful servant providing comfort.

1 Samuel 19 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:10 serves as a powerful illustration of unchecked malice and divine providence. It represents the second, explicit spear attack by Saul, establishing a pattern of his homicidal intent towards David. This repetition underscores the severity of Saul's jealousy, now clearly beyond reasoned thought, being fueled by a harmful spirit from God as judgment. David, despite his loyal service as a musician and warrior, becomes the target of his sovereign's deepest insecurities.

David's miraculous escape from the direct spear thrust at close range is attributed to his quick agility, but fundamentally points to God's sovereign hand protecting His chosen one. The spear embedding in the wall visually signifies the divine intervention, as it demonstrates that while Saul had the intention and the means, he lacked the power to overcome God's protection over David.

This verse marks a critical turning point in David's life. His flight "that night" initiates the long period of his life as a fugitive, separated from court life, relying solely on God's protection. It reveals the moral decay of Saul's kingship, as he descends from battling national enemies to persecuting the very man who served and defended him, thereby opposing God's unfolding plan for Israel's leadership. The contrast between Saul's desperation and David's preservation establishes the foundational theme of the kingdom's transition and the reliability of God's covenantal promises despite human opposition.