1 Samuel 20 21

1 Samuel 20:21 kjv

And, 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.

1 Samuel 20:21 nkjv

and there I will send a lad, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I expressly say to the lad, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them and come'?then, as the LORD lives, there is safety for you and no harm.

1 Samuel 20:21 niv

Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger.

1 Samuel 20:21 esv

And behold, I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,' then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.

1 Samuel 20:21 nlt

Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back. If you hear me tell him, 'They're on this side,' then you will know, as surely as the LORD lives, that all is well, and there is no trouble.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 21 Meaning

This verse details a critical pre-arranged signal within Jonathan's plan to ascertain King Saul's intentions toward David. If Jonathan sent his servant to collect arrows and specifically told the servant that the arrows were "on this side of thee, take them," it was a clear sign for David that there was no danger from Saul, signifying safety, "peace," and "no hurt," indicating it was safe for David to return. This clever communication was devised to ensure David's safety from Saul's murderous intent.

1 Samuel 20 21 Context

1 Samuel chapter 20 details the deepening crisis between King Saul and David, exacerbated by Saul's intense jealousy and repeated attempts on David's life. David, now a hero of Israel and son-in-law to the king, finds himself a fugitive from his sovereign. Jonathan, Saul's son and David's closest friend, stands in an agonizing position between his father's madness and his covenant loyalty to David. This specific verse is part of Jonathan's elaborate and ingenious plan to discern Saul's true disposition without endangering David further. The plan involves David hiding in a field while Jonathan tests Saul's reaction to David's absence at the New Moon feast. This verse outlines the specific positive signal of safety; its counterpart, the danger signal, follows if Saul's rage confirms his murderous intent. The whole chapter hinges on this plan and the deep covenant love (hesed) between David and Jonathan, which transcends political loyalty and familial ties, foreshadowing Jonathan's ultimate self-sacrifice in supporting David's future kingship.

1 Samuel 20 21 Word analysis

• And, behold (וְהִנֵּה – v’hinneh): This serves as an attention-grabbing interjection, a "look, pay attention" marker often used to introduce something significant, surprising, or crucial within the narrative, underscoring the importance of the forthcoming instructions to David.
• I will send (וְשָׁלַחְתִּי – v’shalachti): "I will send forth." Indicates an intentional dispatching of someone to perform a specific action, emphasizing Jonathan's careful orchestration of the event.
• a lad (הַנַּעַר – hanna'ar): From na'ar, referring to a youth, boy, or young servant. The specific choice of a "lad" is strategic: an unsuspecting, perhaps unperceptive, agent whose presence would not raise Saul's suspicion regarding a pre-arranged signal. The lad's innocence lends authenticity to Jonathan's feigned archery practice.
• saying, Go, find out the arrows (לֵךְ מְצָא אֶת־הַחִצִּים – lech metza et-hachitzim): "Go, find the arrows." This command serves as the overt purpose for sending the lad. On the surface, it's a routine task for an archer. Beneath, it's the cover for the covert communication, framing the entire scene as an innocent practice.
• If I expressly say unto him (אִם כֹּה אֹמַר אֶל־הַנַּעַר – im koh omar el-hanna'ar): "If thus I say to the lad." This introduces the conditional statement, crucial for deciphering the signal. "Expressly" highlights the deliberate wording that constitutes the secret message.
• Behold (הִנֵּה – hinneh): Another "behold" here within the signal itself, directing the lad's attention, and thus David's through the hidden message, to the location of the arrows.
• the arrows are on this side of thee (הַחִצִּים מִמְּךָ וָהֵנָּה – hachitzim mimmekka vahennah): This is the precise, critical part of the signal indicating safety. "On this side of thee" means closer to the lad than he is expected to go further out. This indicates that Jonathan did not need to shoot the arrows far, implying that David should not flee afar, but rather approach or that the danger has receded. The closeness of the arrows symbolically communicates the closeness and safety of the path forward.
• take them (קָחֵם – qachem): "Take them up." A simple instruction to the lad to collect the arrows, making the overall instruction appear entirely mundane.
• then come thou (בֹּאָה – bo’ah): "Come [back]." This instruction is for David, a directive to return or emerge from hiding, based on the signal of safety.
• for there is peace (כִּי שָׁלוֹם לְךָ – ki shalom leka): From shalom, meaning completeness, welfare, safety, tranquility, and wellbeing, not merely the absence of war. Here, it promises comprehensive security for David, signifying that Saul's murderous rage has subsided or been diverted. It speaks of spiritual, relational, and physical wholeness and freedom from hostility.
• and no hurt (וְאֵין דָּבָר – ve’ein davar ra’): "And there is no evil thing/word." Davar ra' explicitly means "evil word/thing" or "harmful matter." This confirms the "peace" by explicitly stating the absence of any malice, threat, or dangerous news. It reiterates that David faces no immediate physical danger or treachery from the king.

• "I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows": This phrase establishes the immediate, visible scenario: a casual archery practice where a servant retrieves arrows. This innocuous outward appearance is crucial for concealing the true message from any observers and especially from Saul's spies. It sets the stage for a private signal embedded within a public, routine act.
• "If I expressly say unto him... then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt": This entire conditional statement constitutes the core of Jonathan's pre-arranged code. The "if" clause ("If I expressly say unto him, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them") specifies the exact words that indicate a positive, safe outcome. The "then" clause ("then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt") delivers David's action plan and the joyous news of safety. It is a brilliant example of clever, life-saving communication, where mundane words convey a life-or-death message.

1 Samuel 20 21 Bonus section

The narrative involving Jonathan's "lad" implicitly underlines the profound trust that existed between David and Jonathan. David had to be absolutely certain that he correctly interpreted the signal, as his life depended on it. This deep understanding between them was cultivated over time through shared experiences, trials, and a divine covenant. This specific method of using a coded message under the guise of an ordinary activity, rather than direct confrontation or explicit warning, also speaks to the intense paranoia of Saul's court where even trusted individuals could not openly convey critical information. Jonathan, as Saul's son, faced extreme danger himself by aiding David. His meticulous planning was not just clever but critical to protecting both David's life and the secret of their pact. The word shalom ("peace") used here carries a depth of meaning in Hebrew thought that goes beyond mere absence of conflict, implying wholeness, prosperity, and spiritual well-being, a divine favor sought for David even in this perilous situation.

1 Samuel 20 21 Commentary

This verse stands as a testament to Jonathan's unwavering loyalty and strategic intellect in the face of his father's irrational hatred. It encapsulates a pivotal moment in the profound friendship between Jonathan and David, demonstrating a bond that transcends familial duty and personal ambition. The detailed and cleverly veiled communication plan highlights Jonathan's deep concern for David's safety, embodying the commitment of their covenant. The use of an unwitting "lad" and the precise positioning of the "arrows" are ingenious layers of a desperate attempt to protect an innocent man, showcasing Jonathan's quick thinking and selflessness. The outcome of "peace" (shalom) and "no hurt" (no evil matter) signifies a promised freedom from Saul's murderous intent, echoing a deeper spiritual truth of God's providence for His chosen ones, often working through human instruments of love and courage.