1 Samuel 20:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:36 mean?

1 Samuel 20:36 describes Jonathan telling his young servant to run and find the arrows he is about to shoot, and as the servant runs, Jonathan shoots an arrow beyond him. This action is part of a secret signal between Jonathan and David to communicate whether it is safe for David to return or if he must flee.

Jonathan is speaking to his servant (called a "lad" in the text) during a tense moment where he is helping his friend David avoid danger from King Saul. The shooting of the arrow beyond the servant is not just about retrieving arrows; it is a prearranged sign for David, who is hiding nearby, about the outcome of Jonathan’s conversation with Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:36

• "lad" (נַעַר, naʿar): This word refers to a young boy or servant. The use of "naʿar" highlights that Jonathan is using someone who would not understand the secret message, keeping the plan hidden from others.
• "Run" (רוץ, ruts): Jonathan commands the servant to "run," emphasizing urgency and action, which fits the tense and secretive nature of the situation.
• "beyond" (עָבַר, avar): The word means "to pass over" or "beyond." Jonathan shooting the arrow "beyond" the servant is the crucial part of the signal to David, indicating danger.

Why 1 Samuel 20:36 matters

• This verse is key to understanding the secret communication between Jonathan and David, showing how they used an innocent activity (retrieving arrows) to hide their true intentions from others.
• The detail that Jonathan shoots the arrow "beyond" the servant is not random; it is the agreed-upon sign that David should not return, revealing the depth of trust and planning between the two friends.
• The verse sets the stage for the emotional farewell between Jonathan and David, highlighting the risks they both take to protect each other in a dangerous situation.