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 20:38KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 20:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:38 mean?

1 Samuel 20:38 describes Jonathan calling urgently to his young servant during an archery outing. The servant gathers the arrows and returns to Jonathan, while David, who is nearby, understands the arrow shooting as a warning that he must leave.

Jonathan had arranged the warning with David beforehand because David feared that King Saul wanted to kill him. Jonathan’s rapid commands, “Make speed, haste, stay not,” give the scene a sense of urgency as the servant carries out his task.

Why 1 Samuel 20:38 matters

  • The servant and David understand the scene differently. Verse 39 says the servant knows nothing of the arrangement, but Jonathan and David know its meaning.

  • The warning comes through the position of the arrows, not through a direct message to David in this verse. In verses 21–22, Jonathan had agreed that arrows beyond the servant would mean David should go.

  • The servant’s return prepares for a private meeting. After giving his weapons to the servant, Jonathan sends him back to town; David then comes out from hiding (verses 40–41).

Where else these words appear

“arrows” Hebrew H2678 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
  • 1 Samuel 20:37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

“speed” Hebrew H4120 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 16:46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
  • 2 Samuel 17:16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
  • Psalms 147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

“haste” Hebrew H2363 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 32:17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
  • Psalms 38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
  • Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

“up” Hebrew H3950 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.