1 Samuel 20:19 Meaning: The Stone Ezel
When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel.
And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
And when thou hast stayed three days, thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
and on the third day thou dost certainly come down, and hast come in unto the place where thou wast hidden in the day of the work, and hast remained near the stone Ezel.
but on the third day thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself on the day of the business, and abide by the stone Ezel.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did David and Jonathan use the stone Ezel for their secret plan? Discover the meaning of this verse and its call to faithful friendship in hard times.
Context
This verse sits inside a tense moment in David's life. King Saul has tried to kill him, and David's closest friend, Jonathan, Saul's own son, has promised to warn him. The two have made a covenant before God, swearing loyalty to each other and to each other's families. Now they need a way to communicate whether it is safe for David to return to the palace. Jonathan sets up a test: David will hide in the field for three days. On the third day, Jonathan will come out to shoot arrows, and the direction he sends a boy to retrieve them will be the sign. This verse gives David his exact instructions for where to wait: by a stone named Ezel.
Key Words
Two words anchor this verse. First, the stone's name Ezel (H0237) likely means “departure.” This fits the moment perfectly, David is about to leave Saul's court, perhaps forever. The stone becomes a marker of parting. Second, the word for “hide yourself” comes from the Hebrew sathar (H5641), which means to conceal oneself carefully. David is not simply out of sight; he is deliberately hidden, trusting Jonathan to bring the information he needs. The phrase “three days” also carries weight. Throughout Scripture, three days often marks a period of waiting before a decisive turn. For David, these three days test patience and trust not only in Jonathan but in the God who watches over their covenant.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers across traditions have seen this verse as a picture of faithful friendship under threat. Many note the stone's name. The Jerusalem Targum calls it the “sign-stone,” a marker of the signal. Others, reading the Greek Septuagint, see “yonder heap of stones” as a natural hiding place. Protestants often emphasize Jonathan's courageous loyalty to David over his own father. Catholic and Orthodox readers may highlight the solemn covenant between the two men, which echoes later themes of self-sacrificing love. What unites these readings is the recognition that even in desperate circumstances, God provides a way for His people to act wisely and remain faithful to one another.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
If you have ever needed to know whether a situation is safe, you understand David's position. He could not walk back into the palace and ask. He needed a friend who would tell him the truth, even if it hurt. This verse asks you to consider: who are your faithful friends? And are you the kind of friend who will give an honest warning, even when it costs you? The stone Ezel marks a moment when two people trusted each other and trusted God to guide them through a crisis. You may not shoot arrows today, but you can be clear and careful in how you share hard news with someone you love. Small, wise signs can protect those we care about.
Main takeaway: Covenant friendship means making careful plans to protect each other, and trusting God to see you through the danger.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
David was in danger because King Saul was angry at him. His good friend Jonathan wanted to help. They made a plan to meet at a special stone called Ezel. The stone was like a secret meeting place.
For ages 9, 12
David had to hide because King Saul wanted to hurt him. Jonathan, the king's son, was David's best friend. Jonathan promised to find out if it was safe for David to come back. He told David to wait by a stone named Ezel. If the arrows went one way, David would be safe; if they went the other way, David had to run. Their plan shows how friends can protect each other, even when it is risky. God used this plan to keep David safe.
Questions People Ask
What does the name Ezel mean?
Ezel likely means 'departure.' The stone is named after the event that happened there, David's departure from Saul's court. It is a memorial of that parting.
Why did David wait three days?
The three days allowed time for Jonathan to learn his father's intentions and to send a signal. It also gave David a period of waiting and trusting God before the outcome was known.
What was the sign Jonathan used with the arrows?
Jonathan planned to shoot three arrows as if practicing. If the arrows landed close to the boy, David would know it was safe to return. If the arrows landed beyond the boy, that meant danger and David should flee.
Where is the stone Ezel located?
Scripture does not give a precise location. It is likely a stone near the field where David hid, between Ramah and Nob. Some traditions identify it with a 'heap of stones' mentioned in the Greek translation.
Is this story about a secret code?
In a way, yes. Jonathan and David used a simple prearranged signal to communicate without anyone else understanding. It shows how friends in danger can use wisdom and creativity to protect each other.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study