1 Samuel 20 20

1 Samuel 20:20 kjv

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

1 Samuel 20:20 nkjv

Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target;

1 Samuel 20:20 niv

I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.

1 Samuel 20:20 esv

And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

1 Samuel 20:20 nlt

I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 20 Meaning

This verse describes Jonathan's planned action of shooting three arrows as part of a pre-arranged secret signal to David. This act, ostensibly appearing as target practice or an everyday skill display, was designed to convey critical information about King Saul's intentions toward David without attracting suspicion from Saul or his attendants. The shooting was precise, aiming to fall "to the side of it" (referring to the stone Ezel where David was hiding), thereby indicating a specific range for the boy to retrieve them, which in turn would communicate the outcome to David.

1 Samuel 20 20 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 20 records the climax of David and Jonathan's deep friendship and covenant, set against the backdrop of King Saul's growing, murderous paranoia towards David. David, having fled from Saul's presence, seeks a clear understanding of Saul's intentions regarding his safety. Jonathan, bound by covenant and love to David, devises an elaborate, coded plan to ascertain and communicate Saul's true heart to David without endangering himself or overtly revealing David's location. Verses 18-23 lay out this precise scheme, involving a specified hiding place (the stone Ezel), a pre-determined date (the New Moon festival), and the symbolic act of shooting arrows. Verse 20 details the initial, outwardly innocuous, part of this signal: Jonathan will appear to be merely practicing archery. This feigned practice establishes the public pretense, while the specific number and placement of the arrows, and later interaction with the boy retrieving them (as revealed in verses 21-22), constitute the true hidden message. The historical context includes the volatile period of early monarchy in Israel, marked by Saul's decline, God's anointing of David, and the conflict between Saul's personal vendetta and God's sovereign plan.

1 Samuel 20 20 Word analysis

• And I will shoot (וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי, wəšillāḥtî): The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) typically means "to send, stretch out, release." In the context of arrows, it directly implies "to shoot" or "to dispatch." This emphasizes Jonathan's active, intentional participation in the deception and communication. It denotes a deliberate act on his part to initiate the signal.

• three arrows (שְׁלֹשָׁה חִצִּים, šəlōšāh ḥiṣṣîm): The specific number "three" is a critical part of the pre-arranged code, distinguishing this from a casual act of shooting. Ḥiṣṣîm refers to "arrows," a common implement for hunting and warfare, but here employed as a means of secret communication. Their use highlights the urgency and the need for a non-verbal message in a dangerous environment.

• to the side of it (אֶל־הַצִּיד, ʾel-haṣṣîd): This phrase indicates the general direction or proximity of where the arrows would fall relative to David's hiding place near the stone Ezel (referenced in 1 Sam 20:19). Haṣṣîd can imply "to the side" or "towards the ambush place." This precise spatial detail is vital to the signal's interpretation, as it determines the boundary the arrows must fall within or beyond to convey the message.

• as though I shot at a mark (כְּמַשִּׁית, kemaššîth): This Hebrew phrase, sometimes translated as "as though I were missing" or "as if I were shooting for a goal/target," conveys the intentional feigning of a different purpose. It means the act will appear to onlookers as if Jonathan is merely practicing his archery skill or aiming for a distant target, thereby providing an innocent cover for the true, secretive nature of his action. It's a calculated ruse to camouflage the real communication with David.

• And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it: This whole phrase indicates Jonathan's cunning plan to appear to be merely practicing archery while in reality sending a specific number of arrows in a specific direction as a coded message. The number "three" makes it distinguishable, and the direction "to the side of it" provides the geographical anchor for David to discern the message.

• as though I shot at a mark: This phrase emphasizes the deceptive nature of the act. The intention is not to hit a specific mark but to use the outward appearance of marksmanship as a cover. It underscores the prudence and craftiness Jonathan employed to protect his friend amidst Saul's hostility, acting "as if" for one purpose when the true motive was entirely different and covert. This element of pretense is central to the efficacy of the entire plan.

1 Samuel 20 20 Bonus section

Jonathan's use of "three arrows" might have subtly referred to the seriousness of the covenant he had made with David, or simply been a distinctive, easily memorable number to make the signal unambiguous. In ancient warfare and hunting, the act of shooting arrows was common, making Jonathan's activity blend in naturally, minimizing suspicion. This act also reveals the strong military prowess of Jonathan, who was an accomplished archer himself (2 Sam 1:22, where David laments his death). The seemingly innocuous act of shooting arrows transformed into a life-or-death signal, showcasing how common activities can be imbued with profound symbolic meaning in critical contexts. The success of this detailed plan rested not just on the arrangement, but on the implicit trust between David and Jonathan – a bond so strong that it bypassed the need for explicit verbal communication when direct speech was too dangerous.

1 Samuel 20 20 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:20 captures a pivotal moment of ingenious strategic communication, born out of profound friendship and imminent danger. Jonathan's decision to employ archery as a coded signal highlights his remarkable foresight and devotion to David, choosing loyalty over familial obligation and personal safety. The meticulous planning – involving a specific location, number of arrows, and the feigned purpose of target practice – demonstrates his practical wisdom and shrewdness in navigating Saul’s volatile reign. This act is not about literal target practice, but about creating an elaborate cover for a desperate and loving communication. It illustrates the extent to which human ingenuity can be employed under divine providence to safeguard those aligned with God’s plan, even if it requires deception to protect innocence from malice. The scene foreshadows David’s subsequent flight, underscoring the severity of the threat he faced and the unwavering nature of the covenant between David and Jonathan. It also teaches the value of discretion and wise counsel in challenging circumstances, emphasizing that protecting what is right sometimes necessitates cleverness and caution.