1 Samuel 20 22

1 Samuel 20:22 kjv

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

1 Samuel 20:22 nkjv

But if I say thus to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you'?go your way, for the LORD has sent you away.

1 Samuel 20:22 niv

But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away.

1 Samuel 20:22 esv

But if I say to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away.

1 Samuel 20:22 nlt

But if I tell him, 'Go farther ? the arrows are still ahead of you,' then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the LORD is sending you away.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 22 Meaning

1 Samuel 20:22 is a crucial part of Jonathan's secret signal to David, indicating an undeniable threat to David's life from King Saul. The message conveyed through the arrow shot, "the arrows are beyond you," signified that David must flee immediately, and Jonathan explained this imperative as not merely escaping Saul's wrath, but as a divine act: "the LORD has sent you away." This means God Himself was ordaining David's flight for his protection and future destiny, validating David's forced departure.

1 Samuel 20 22 Context

1 Samuel chapter 20 describes the poignant climax of David and Jonathan's deep friendship amid Saul's growing, violent paranoia towards David. Saul's increasing jealousy and murderous intent, driven by an evil spirit, made David's position in the royal court untenable. Jonathan, faithful to his covenant with David and recognizing God's favor on David, devised a cunning plan to discover Saul's true intentions. He arranged a signal with David involving three arrows shot in a field and a young servant. Verse 22 is the specific message indicating dire peril for David, commanding him to flee. This decision marks a definitive turning point, forcing David into a life of hiding as a fugitive from Saul, though under God's ultimate protection.

1 Samuel 20 22 Word analysis

• "But if I say to the young man,": Establishes a conditional communication. Jonathan's use of a third party, an unwitting boy, ensured secrecy and safety for the coded message to David.

• "Look," (Hebrew: hinneh - הִנֵּה): An interjection meaning "behold" or "indeed." It is used to draw urgent attention to a crucial observation, emphasizing the significance of the following signal.

• "the arrows are beyond you," (Hebrew: hachiṣṣim mimmennəkā vahal’āh - הַחִצִּים מִמְּךָ וָהָלְאָה):

  • hachiṣṣim (הַחִצִּים): "the arrows." Represent the trajectory and reach of danger.
  • mimmennəkā (מִמְּךָ): "from you" or "beyond you." In this context, it implies the arrows have been shot past David's hiding place, signifying overshot safety, and the danger has spread.
  • vahal’āh (וָהָלְאָה): "and further on," "beyond." This intensifies the idea that the arrows' flight indicates it's unsafe for David to return and that he must go even further away.
  • This entire phrase serves as the critical visual code, communicating that the threat (Saul's anger) has extended beyond any point of return and immediate escape is necessary.

• "go," (Hebrew: lēḵ - לֵךְ): A direct, imperative command meaning "depart" or "walk." It signifies the immediate and necessary action of flight; there is no alternative.

• "for the LORD has sent you away." (Hebrew: kî-yiššələḥăḵā YHVH - כִּי־שִׁלַּחֲךָ יְהוָה):

  • kî (כִּי): "for," or "because," provides the divine reason and ultimate justification for David's forced departure.
  • yiššələḥăḵā (שִׁלַּחֲךָ) from šālakh (שָׁלַח): "to send," "to dispatch," "to send away." The intense form of the verb signifies a deliberate and decisive sending.
  • YHVH (יְהוָה): "the LORD," the sacred personal name of God. This attributes the "sending away" directly to God's sovereign will, not just Saul's malice. Jonathan views this flight not as a tragic consequence of human hatred, but as a divinely orchestrated step in God's plan for David.

• "But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’": This segment describes the coded communication plan, emphasizing Jonathan's discretion and concern for David's life. The use of a simple, seemingly innocent command regarding arrows becomes a life-saving signal, reflecting the extreme tension and danger in Saul's court where even conversations could be perilous. It highlights Jonathan's loyalty and courage in circumventing Saul’s rage.

• "go, for the LORD has sent you away.": This phrase is the definitive command and its profound spiritual justification. It is not merely a practical instruction to flee but a theological declaration that assures David of divine backing even in exile. Jonathan frames David's immediate flight as God's will, ensuring David that he is not aimlessly fleeing but being guided by the sovereign hand of the LORD. This transforms David’s necessity to flee into a divinely sanctioned act for his protection and ultimate destiny.

1 Samuel 20 22 Bonus section

• Jonathan's Loyalty and Faith: Jonathan's declaration of God's sending reveals his understanding that David is God’s true anointed king, even above himself, Saul's legitimate heir. This demonstrates Jonathan’s profound spiritual maturity and selfless devotion to David and, more importantly, to God’s declared will.
• Theological Sovereignty: The verse places great emphasis on God's active involvement ("the LORD has sent you away"). This highlights divine sovereignty, meaning that even in circumstances initiated by human evil (Saul's murderous intent), God is at work, providentially orchestrating events for His ultimate redemptive purposes. David's flight was not an escape from God's plan, but a step within it.
• Prophetic Foretelling: Jonathan's words carried a prophetic weight. David was indeed "sent away" for years, during which he was hunted, honed, and prepared in the wilderness before assuming the kingship, ultimately fulfilling God's promise. This period of being "sent away" was crucial for shaping David's character as a future shepherd-king.

1 Samuel 20 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:22 stands as a testament to the unyielding bond between David and Jonathan and Jonathan’s profound faith. This single verse serves as the final and most crucial message for David to escape Saul's lethal intentions. Jonathan's explanation, that "the LORD has sent you away," transforms David's forced departure from a tragic flight from a vengeful king into a divinely orchestrated journey. It reaffirms God's protective hand over His chosen anointed one, even amidst apparent abandonment and peril. This divinely sanctioned "sending away" provided spiritual assurance to David, laying the groundwork for his years of preparation as a fugitive before ultimately taking the throne. It highlights that God often guides His people through difficult separations and uncomfortable paths, all part of His greater plan. For believers, this passage encourages trust in God's providence even when circumstances force undesired departures or changes, knowing He sovereignly orchestrates events for their ultimate good.