I Samuel 20:20-23 · Bible study
1 Samuel 20:20-23 Commentary: Jonathan's Arrow Signal
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Jonathan's arrow signal to David: its purpose, the threat from Saul, and the covenant sealed by divine witness. Biblical study with commentary insights.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jonathan's arrow code signals David's safety or danger, revealing the severity of Saul's threat and the covenantal bond between the two men.
- Key words: shalom (peace, safety, v.21), hinneh (behold, used repeatedly for emphasis), shalach (send away, used of Yahweh's action in v.22).
- Main debate: Minor, the exact location of the stone Ezel and whether the “three arrows” symbolize David's three missing days or simply add cover.
- Theological theme: Covenant fidelity under threat, with Yahweh as witness and guide.
- Best use: Teaching about friendship, trust in God's providence, and the importance of faithful communication in dangerous circumstances.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
20I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if I were aiming at a target.
21Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.
22But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away.
23And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
20I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark.
21Behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ If I tell the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you. Take them;’ then come, for there is peace to you and no danger, as Yahweh lives.
22But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away.
23Concerning the matter which you and I have spoken of, behold, Yahweh is between you and me forever.”
KJV King James Version 1769
20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the Lord liveth.
22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the Lord hath sent thee away.
23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
21And, behold, I will send the lad, saying, Go, find the arrows. If I say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee; take them, and come; for there is peace to thee and no hurt, as Jehovah liveth.
22But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for Jehovah hath sent thee away.
23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between thee and me for ever.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
20`And I shoot three of the arrows at the side, sending out for myself at a mark;
21and lo, I send the youth: Go, find the arrows. If I at all say to the youth, Lo, the arrows are on this side of thee--take them, --then come thou, for peace is for thee, and there is nothing; Jehovah liveth.
22And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows are beyond thee, --go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away;
23as to the thing which we have spoken, I and thou, lo, Jehovah is between me and thee--unto the age.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
20And I will shoot three arrows on the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.
21And behold, I will send the lad, [saying,] Go, find the arrows. If I expressly say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come, for there is peace for thee, and it is nothing; [as] Jehovah liveth.
22But if I say thus to the youth: Behold, the arrows are beyond thee, — go thy way; for Jehovah sends thee away.
23And as to the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between me and thee for ever.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
20And I will shoot three arrows near it, and will shoot as if I were exercising myself at a mark.
21And I will send a boy, saying to him: Go and fetch me the arrows.
22If I shall say to the boy: Behold the arrows are on this side of thee, take them up: come thou to me, because there is peace to thee, and there is no evil, as the Lord liveth. But if I shall speak thus to the boy: Behold the arrows are beyond thee: go in peace, for the Lord hath sent thee away.
23And concerning the word which I and thou have spoken, the Lord be between thee and me forever.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 20:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that Jonathan's arrow-shooting plan was a covert communication system, designed to appear as innocent archery practice while conveying a life-or-death message. Adam Clarke notes that shooting three arrows helped “cover his design” and prevented suspicion. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges adds that this precaution was necessary in case Jonathan was watched by Saul's spies. The signal itself is unambiguous: arrows on “this side” (close to the boy) means safety; “beyond” means David must flee. The three arrows (Gill links them to the three days of David's absence) reinforce the ruse. Underlying the entire plan is the covenant Jonathan and David had sworn, a bond ratified in the name of Yahweh. The commentators thus highlight both the practical shrewdness and the spiritual foundation of this moment.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The arrow signal is an unambiguous prearranged code: arrows on this side of the boy mean David can return safely; arrows beyond him mean he must flee immediately.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the signal | All commentators see it as a covert way to communicate safety or danger to David without arousing Saul's suspicion. | Some emphasize the need for secrecy due to spies (Cambridge), while others focus on Jonathan's desire to protect David personally (Clarke). |
| Meaning of three arrows | The number three matches the three days of David's absence from the feast (v.19). | Gill explicitly links them to the days; others (Clarke, Wesley) treat them as simply thorough cover for the ruse. |
| Role of the servant (the lad) | The servant is an unsuspecting carrier who retrieves arrows without understanding the code. | Wesley says Jonathan sends the boy before shooting; others imply he sends him after shooting. The exact timing matters for whether the boy would see David. |
| Nature of the covenant | Both Jonathan and David place their relationship under God's oversight and promise mutual protection for their families. | Historical traditions (e.g., Reformed vs. Wesleyan) emphasize either God's sovereignty in orchestrating David's exile (Cambridge) or the human fidelity of Jonathan's loyalty (Matthew Henry). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The passage takes place during the new moon festival at Saul's court, a time of royal feasting and public scrutiny (1 Samuel 20:18). David's absence from the table would already be noticed and suspicious. To communicate without endangering Jonathan or David, the two men devise a signal using terrain and archery. The “stone Ezel” (v.19) was likely a well-known landmark near Gibeah, perhaps a cairn or outcrop that offered cover for David. Jonathan would go out to the field with a bow, his customary weapon, and a young servant. Archery practice would raise no eyebrows; Poole notes that bows and arrows were common in Israel, unlike swords and spears which were scarce.
The signal hinges on two phrases: “the arrows are on this side of you” (close to where the boy stood) and “the arrows are beyond you” (further away). In the first case, David was to come out of hiding. In the second, he was to flee, because Yahweh had “sent him away”, a divine commissioning, not merely a human banishment. The Cambridge Bible explains that Jonathan is prepared to recognize God's will in David's departure. The oath “as Yahweh lives” (v.21) is a solemn affirmation of truth; it appears in prophetic calls to faithful swearing (Jeremiah 4:2) and warnings against false oaths (Jeremiah 5:2). Finally, the covenant formula “Yahweh is between you and me forever” echoes patriarchal covenants:
“Behold, God is witness between me and you.”
— Genesis 31:50 (WEB)
This places the friendship under divine oversight, making Yahweh both witness and avenger of the covenant.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for these verses. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the main interpretive challenges concern historical background and literary context rather than textual uncertainty.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, this passage is read as the haftarah for the new moon when it falls on the first day of the week (Cambridge Bible). Christians have long seen Jonathan's loyalty to David as a model of selfless friendship that points toward Christ's covenantal love (John 15:13). Reformation commentators such as Matthew Henry focused on Jonathan's faithfulness despite his father's rage, and the arrow signal has been preached as a type of how God clearly guides his people, open doors for peace, closed doors for departure. The oath “as Yahweh lives” was cited by Puritan writers as an example of reverent swearing in times of extremity.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Danger: Saul's murderous intent forced David and Jonathan to operate in secrecy. The elaborate signal shows that David's life hung on a word.
- The Signal: Jonathan's plan used ordinary actions (archery, sending a boy) to carry an urgent message. The coded arrow, near or far, was both simple and irreversible.
- The Covenant: The entire plan rests on a promise sworn before God. Jonathan invokes Yahweh as a witness “forever,” anchoring their friendship in something greater than themselves.
Five-point outline
- Setting the stage: The new moon feast as a deadline; David must know Saul's mood.
- The hiding place: By the stone Ezel, David waits for a signal he cannot control.
- The cover story: Archery practice with a servant prevents spycraft from succeeding.
- The code: “On this side” equals peace; “beyond” equals flight. No ambiguity.
- The divine witness: The covenant sealed by Yahweh transcends the immediate crisis.
Illustration hooks
- A prearranged car horn or text code among friends in a dangerous neighborhood, two honks for all clear, three for get away.
- Secret signals used by persecuted believers in closed countries to pass warnings without words.
- A referee's signal in sports: a flag of one color means proceed, another means stop.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why didn't David just run away without waiting for a signal? (He trusted Jonathan's covenantal loyalty.)
- Was Jonathan betraying his father Saul? (He was obeying a higher loyalty to God's anointed and to the covenant.)
- How can I discern when God is “sending me away” from a situation? (Look for providential doors, seek godly counsel, watch for peace or danger.)
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows a friendship bound by covenant in the face of deadly threat. The arrow signal is not just dramatic; it is a test of obedience and trust. As you discuss, notice how Jonathan's loyalty to David does not erase his love for Saul, but it does place God's purpose above the king's command.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What exactly does Jonathan plan to do, and what will each outcome (arrows on this side or beyond) mean for David?
- Observation: What role does the servant play, and why is it important that he does not understand the code?
- Interpretation: Why do you think Jonathan says “Yahweh has sent you away” rather than “Saul wants to kill you”? What does that reveal about his view of God's sovereignty?
- Interpretation: The phrase “Yahweh is between you and me forever” echoes Genesis 31:50. How does God function as a witness in human covenants?
- Application: In what situations do you need a clear “signal” from God before you move? How does this story encourage or challenge that waiting?
- Application: Jonathan risked his own safety to help David. What might it cost you to be faithful to a friendship today?
- Connection to Christ: How does Jonathan's selfless love point to Jesus, who laid down his life for his friends (John 15:13)?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Jeremiah 4:2 | and you will swear, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness. The nations will bless themselves in him, and they will glory in him.” |
| Jeremiah 5:2 | Though they say, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ surely they swear falsely.” |
| Jeremiah 12:16 | It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As Yahweh lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people. |
| Amos 8:14 | Those who swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, ‘As your god, Dan, lives,’ and, ‘As the way of Beersheba lives,’ they will fall, and never rise up again.” |
| I Samuel 20:37 | When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy, and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” |
| Genesis 16:5 | Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, she despised me. May Yahweh judge between me and you.” |
| Genesis 31:50 | If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.” |
| I Samuel 20:14 | You shall not only show me the loving kindness of Yahweh while I still live, that I not die; |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains the strategic plan behind the archery: Jonathan pretends to practice while shooting three arrows as a cover, using his servant as unwitting messenger. The coded words "on this side" mean David is safe; "beyond" signals he must flee.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary notes that Jonathan interprets David's banishment as God's will, not merely Saul's persecution. He accepts that God is training David for future kingship through this hardship. The arrow signal is therefore an act of submission to divine purpose, not just a practical escape from danger
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes explain that Jonathan devised a secret signal using arrow shots to warn David. Arrows landing short meant safety, while those shot beyond signalled danger and that David must flee. This prearranged code allowed Jonathan to communicate without Saul suspecting.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explains that Jonathan's arrow-shooting signal was carefully designed to communicate safely under pretense of target practice. Arrows falling short of the lad meant David could emerge without fear, while arrows landing beyond him signaled immediate flight, as God's providence required David to escape without contact.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB points out that Jonathan's parting words reveal his gentle, loyal character as he returns to the covenant of friendship they made. Even after the plan is set, Jonathan cannot help reaffirming their bond, showing that his affection for David remains central.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the remarkable self-denial in this covenant: Jonathan, the king's son, willingly sets aside his own claim to the throne and binds himself and his descendants to David's future house. The love that drives him looks beyond the present danger to secure lasting kindness for his family even after his own death.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley explains that Jonathan's plan to send the boy ahead before shooting the arrows allows the retrieval itself to become the secret signal. Whether the arrows fall short or beyond the boy communicates safety or danger. He notes that "between" means the covenant stands as a permanent witness and judge between both families if violated.