1 Samuel 20 38

1 Samuel 20:38 kjv

And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

1 Samuel 20:38 nkjv

And Jonathan cried out after the lad, "Make haste, hurry, do not delay!" So Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows and came back to his master.

1 Samuel 20:38 niv

Then he shouted, "Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.

1 Samuel 20:38 esv

And Jonathan called after the boy, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!" So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master.

1 Samuel 20:38 nlt

Hurry, hurry, don't wait." So the boy quickly gathered up the arrows and ran back to his master.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 38 Meaning

This verse culminates Jonathan's strategic deception to alert David of Saul's deadly intentions. Jonathan's public shouts for his servant to "hurry, make haste, do not stay" were a prearranged, coded message to David, who was hiding nearby. The urgency in Jonathan's voice and the negative command to "not stay" communicated extreme danger, instructing David to flee immediately rather than return to Gibeah. The subsequent action of Jonathan's servant gathering the arrows further completed the pretense, allowing David to escape undetected based on Jonathan's selfless warning.

1 Samuel 20 38 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the relationship between David and Saul. King Saul, consumed by envy and suspicion of David, was actively seeking to kill him, despite David's continued loyalty and God's clear favor. Jonathan, Saul's son and David's closest friend, deeply loved David and understood his father's destructive rage. Having entered into a solemn covenant with David, Jonathan devised a plan to ascertain Saul's true intentions towards David and relay the information secretly. The "bow and arrow" charade in 1 Samuel 20:20-22 served as the prearranged signal: if Jonathan shot arrows beyond his servant and told him the arrows were "beyond" him, it meant great danger and David should flee. If he said they were "on this side," David was safe. The immediate context of verse 38 is the execution of this plan, following Saul's murderous attempt on Jonathan at the feast, confirming Saul's determination to kill David. Jonathan's carefully phrased shouts ensured only David, hiding nearby, understood the gravity of the message. Historically, such elaborate communication methods were vital for conveying sensitive information in dangerous, surveillance-prone royal courts where trust was scarce.

1 Samuel 20 38 Word analysis

• And Jonathan: `וְיוֹנָתָן` (ve'yônātān) - "And Jonathan." The conjunction "and" links this action directly to the previous events, showing the execution of his plan. Jonathan's character throughout 1 Samuel exemplifies faithfulness, selflessness, and spiritual discernment. His name, "YHWH has given," is poignant given his pivotal role in ensuring the survival of God's anointed, David.
• cried after: `וַיִּקְרָא אַחֲרֵי` (vayyiqrā' 'aḥarê) - "And he called after." The Hebrew verb `קָרָא` (qara') means "to call out," "to shout," or "to proclaim." Here, it implies an urgent, clear vocalization intended to be heard at a distance. It's a performative act, masking the real intent from the servant while conveying crucial information to David.
• the lad: `הַנַּעַר` (hanna'ar) - "the young man/servant." This refers to Jonathan's unwitting servant, who is part of the ruse. `נַעַר` (na'ar) is a common term for a young male attendant. The boy's presence adds legitimacy to the "archery practice" pretense.
• "Hurry!": `חֲרִישָׁה` (ḥărîshāh) - "Hurry!", "Be silent!", or "Quietly, swiftly!" This Hebrew word is open to slight interpretation. While typically conveying urgency, it can also have a nuance of quietness or swift stealth, hinting at the need for David's secret and speedy departure. It underscores the danger that demanded discretion.
• "Make haste!": `חוּשָׁה` (ḥûshāh) - "Make haste!" or "Quickly!". This imperative carries a stronger sense of urgency and immediate action, reinforcing the first command. It removes any doubt about the need for speed.
• "Do not stay!": `אַל-תַּעֲמֹד` (ʾal-taʿămōd) - "Do not stand," "Do not tarry," or "Do not stop." This is a negative command using the Hebrew imperative `אַל` (`al`), clearly stating the exact opposite of the pre-arranged signal for safety (which would have been for the arrows to be "this side" indicating David could return). This absolute prohibition to stay unequivocally communicates profound danger and the need for immediate, decisive flight. It signifies the direct threat to David's life.
• And Jonathan’s lad: `וַיַּאֲסֹף נַעַר יוֹנָתָן` (vayya'asōf na'ar yônātān) - "And Jonathan's lad gathered." The mention of "Jonathan's lad" again distinguishes him from "the lad" (David) previously referred to. He is an innocent participant, oblivious to the high stakes.
• gathered up the arrows: `אֶת-הַחִצִּים` (ʾet-haḥitstsim) - "the arrows." This act formally concludes the "archery practice." The arrows, originally tools of play or hunting, become vital components of the deceptive communication, demonstrating their multipurpose use in that era.
• and came to his master: `וַיָּבֹא אֶל-אֲדֹנָיו` (vayyāḇōʾ 'el-ʾăḏōnāyw) - "and came to his lord." The lad's return signals the successful execution of Jonathan's ruse. He performed his duty, unaware he facilitated David's escape from death.

• "Hurry! Make haste! Do not stay!": This tripartite command is a masterclass in coded communication. Each part reinforces the other, creating an unmistakable message of peril and an urgent directive to flee. It demonstrates Jonathan's meticulous planning and his deep understanding of the extreme danger David faced from Saul. The message signifies that Saul's rage had indeed "sent David away," requiring immediate and decisive action.

1 Samuel 20 38 Bonus section

This incident highlights the pervasive fear and political instability in Saul's court. The fact that such a complex, pre-arranged code was necessary speaks volumes about the level of distrust and paranoia that defined Saul's latter reign. Jonathan's character shines brightly against the darkness of Saul's jealousy, demonstrating a profound spiritual wisdom that acknowledged God's choice in David and prioritized the divine will above personal ambition or familial loyalty. His actions ensure the survival of God's plan for Israel, which centered on David's future kingship. The scene also underscores the human element in divine providence; while God ultimately orchestrates events, He uses faithful individuals and their intelligent, courageous actions to bring about His purposes.

1 Samuel 20 38 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:38 is the linchpin of Jonathan's elaborate plan to save David's life, a testament to extraordinary friendship and strategic brilliance under immense pressure. Jonathan, despite being the king's son and heir apparent, prioritizes God's anointing on David over his own claim to the throne and even over his family loyalty to Saul. The public shouting serves as a masterful cover; only David, privy to the code, discerns the message of mortal danger. The triple command to "Hurry! Make haste! Do not stay!" emphasizes the severity and urgency, confirming Saul's homicidal intent and necessitating immediate, distant flight. This pivotal moment underscores divine providence operating through human loyalty and cleverness, ensuring the survival of David, the one chosen by God to be Israel's king. Jonathan's selfless act, putting his own life and royal prospects at risk, beautifully foreshadows a love "greater than that of women" (2 Sam 1:26).

Examples for practical usage:

• Urgent Discipleship: The need for believers to heed warnings from scripture or wise counsel about spiritual danger (e.g., flee from idolatry, immorality, or deceptive teachings).
• Selfless Service: Recognizing the call to sacrifice personal gain for the good of others, particularly for those whom God has chosen or are in distress.
• Discerning Spiritual Signals: Developing spiritual discernment to understand the 'signs' God gives for direction or warning, even if not immediately obvious to others.