And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

1 SAMUEL 20:40KJV
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1 Samuel 20:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:40 mean?

1 Samuel 20:40 describes Jonathan sending his young helper back to the city with his weapons. Jonathan’s instruction brings the boy’s part in the outing to an end and leaves Jonathan alone near the place where David is hiding.

After the arrow signal in the preceding verses, Jonathan gives the equipment to the lad and tells him to go. The boy’s departure makes a private conversation between Jonathan and David possible.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:40

  • “artillery” — כְּלִי (keli): This word can mean equipment or weapons. In the KJV of this verse, “artillery” refers to Jonathan’s archery equipment, not modern guns or cannon.
  • “lad” — נַעַר (naʿar): This word can refer to a boy or a young man. Here it identifies the young helper Jonathan has brought with him to collect the arrows.

Why 1 Samuel 20:40 matters

  • The lad has not been told the meaning of the arrow signal. Verse 39 says that only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement, so the boy’s errand lets the signal be given without explaining it to him.
  • Jonathan’s instruction prepares the way for a farewell. Once the lad has gone, David comes out and the two speak together in verses 41–42.

Where else these words appear

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!