Context and Background:
Saul, the first king of Israel, was anointed by the prophet Samuel. Initially, Saul was a humble and promising leader, but over time, he became increasingly disobedient to God's commands. This disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king and the anointing of David, a young shepherd, as his successor. Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him fueled a deep-seated anger and paranoia.

The Feast of the New Moon:
The incident of Saul's anger at the feast occurs during the celebration of the New Moon, a significant time in the Israelite calendar marked by sacrifices and communal meals (1 Samuel 20:5). David, who had become a close friend of Saul's son Jonathan, was expected to attend the feast. However, due to Saul's growing hostility, David feared for his life and chose to remain absent.

Saul's Anger Unleashed:
On the first day of the feast, Saul noticed David's absence but remained silent, thinking it might be due to ritual uncleanness (1 Samuel 20:26). However, when David was absent again on the second day, Saul questioned Jonathan about David's whereabouts. Jonathan, following a prearranged plan with David, explained that David had gone to Bethlehem for a family sacrifice (1 Samuel 20:28-29).

Saul's response was one of intense anger. The Berean Standard Bible records Saul's words: "Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, 'You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother who bore you?'" (1 Samuel 20:30). Saul's outburst reveals not only his anger towards David but also his frustration with Jonathan's loyalty to David.

Attempted Violence:
In his rage, Saul went so far as to attempt to harm his own son. The text states, "Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David" (1 Samuel 20:33). This act of violence underscores the depth of Saul's irrational anger and his willingness to destroy even familial relationships to maintain his grip on power.

Jonathan's Loyalty to David:
Despite Saul's anger and threats, Jonathan remained steadfast in his loyalty to David. After the feast, Jonathan secretly met with David to warn him of Saul's intentions, thus solidifying their covenant of friendship and loyalty before God (1 Samuel 20:42).

Theological Implications:
Saul's anger at the feast is a poignant illustration of the destructive nature of jealousy and disobedience to God. Saul's inability to accept God's will and his refusal to repent led to his spiritual and moral decline. His anger not only alienated him from David and Jonathan but also from God, who had once chosen him to lead His people. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing personal vendettas and pride to override divine guidance and relationships.