1 Samuel 20:36 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jonathan sends the boy to retrieve the arrows and shoots one beyond him, giving the danger signal.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:36 Mean?
Jonathan puts the plan in motion, telling the boy to run and find the arrows, then shooting one beyond him. To David, watching from hiding, the arrow flung far carries the agreed meaning: danger, flee. The signal of exile has been given.
Each ordinary motion of bow and boy is freighted with meaning only David can read. Jonathan cannot run to embrace his friend or speak the news aloud, so he says it the only way he can, through an arrow's flight. Love sometimes communicates its hardest truths in hidden ways, faithful even when it must keep its distance.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:36
What does 1 Samuel 20:36 mean?
Jonathan sends the boy to retrieve the arrows and shoots one beyond him, giving the danger signal.