שמואל א, פרק כ׳, פסוק ל״ג

The climax of the confrontation between King Saul and his son Jonathan reveals the sheer intensity of the king's anger and his absolute determination regarding David's fate. During a festive meal, Saul hurls a spear at his own son [מצודת ציון]. However, the intention behind this extreme act is not to actually kill Jonathan, but rather to express a profound and violent rage [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This physical outburst is accompanied by a harsh public insult, delivered right in front of the royal ministers and close associates attending the feast. Together, the thrown spear and the public humiliation strip away any remaining ambiguity. Jonathan realizes that the matter is entirely finalized; his father has made a firm and irreversible decision in his heart to put David to death [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The primary approach among commentators is that at this breaking point, Saul is no longer trying to hide his true desires, leaving Jonathan with no doubt whatsoever about the king's absolute intention to execute David.