1 Samuel 20:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:21 mean?

1 Samuel 20:21 describes Jonathan’s secret plan to signal David about whether it is safe for him to return or if he must stay away. Jonathan says he will send a boy to fetch arrows, and if he tells the boy the arrows are on this side, David will know it is safe and there is no danger, as surely as the LORD lives.

In this verse, Jonathan is speaking to David as they try to protect David from King Saul’s anger. Jonathan uses a coded message involving arrows and a young helper so that he can communicate with David without raising suspicion. The verse shows the care and caution Jonathan takes, and how their trust in each other is tied to their trust in God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:21

• "lad" (נַעַר, naʿar): This word means a young boy or servant. Jonathan’s use of a lad makes the plan less suspicious, since a child fetching arrows would not draw attention.
• "arrows" (חֵץ, ḥēts): The arrows are not just weapons here, but a key part of the secret signal. Their location, as described by Jonathan, carries the hidden message for David.
• "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shālôm): This word often means more than just “no conflict”; it includes safety and well-being. Jonathan is promising David that if he hears this signal, he can be at peace and is not in danger.

Why 1 Samuel 20:21 matters

• This verse clears up how Jonathan and David used a simple, everyday activity as a cover for their secret communication, showing the real risk David faced.
• The careful instructions highlight Jonathan’s loyalty and the seriousness of Saul’s threat, deepening our understanding of their friendship and the tension in Saul’s court.
• The mention of the LORD’s name (“as the LORD liveth”) shows that Jonathan is making a solemn promise, grounding their trust in God’s faithfulness as well as their own.