1 Samuel 20:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:38 mean?

1 Samuel 20:38 describes Jonathan urgently calling out to his servant, telling him to hurry and not to stop, as the servant gathers the arrows and returns to Jonathan. The verse shows Jonathan directing the servant’s actions as part of a secret plan with David.

Jonathan is speaking to his young servant during a tense moment outside the city. Jonathan’s instructions to “make speed, haste, stay not” are not just about gathering arrows quickly, but are also a coded message for David, who is hiding nearby and listening for this signal. This moment is part of Jonathan and David’s arrangement to communicate safely about Saul’s intentions.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:38

• The word for “lad” is נַעַר (naʿar), which means a young boy or servant. This shows the servant is likely quite young and not fully aware of the situation’s seriousness.
• The words for “make speed” (מַהֵר, maher) and “haste” (חָרוּץ, charutz) both stress urgency, but together they create a sense of pressing importance, showing Jonathan’s anxiety and the need for quick action.
• The word for “arrows” is חֵץ (chets), which is central to the secret signal Jonathan and David arranged. The arrows are not just for target practice—they are the tool for their hidden communication.

Why 1 Samuel 20:38 matters

• This verse shows how Jonathan used ordinary actions and words to send a secret message, highlighting the danger David faced and the loyalty between the two friends.
• Understanding the urgency in Jonathan’s words helps us see the tension of the moment and the risk both Jonathan and David were taking.
• The verse connects to the larger story of David fleeing from Saul, showing how even small details—like gathering arrows—were part of God’s unfolding plan for David’s life.