1 Samuel 20:20

1 Samuel 20:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
• New International Version (NIV)I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target;

Context of 1 Samuel 20:20

18Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. 19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as Yhwh liveth. 22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for Yhwh hath sent thee away.

1 Samuel 20:20 word by word

וַאֲנִ֕י שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת הַחִצִּ֖ים צִדָּ֣ה אוֹרֶ֑ה לְשַֽׁלַּֽח־לִ֖י לְמַטָּרָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• And I will shootיָרָאyârâh yârâ' · to shootH3384
• threeשָׁלֹשׁshâlôsh shâlôsh shelôshâh shelôshâh · threeH7969
• arrowsחֵץchêts · arrowH2671
• on the sideצַדtsad · sideH6654
• as though I shotשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: departH7971
• at a markמַטָּרָהmaţţârâ' maţţârâh · guardhouseH4307

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20I will shoot three arrows - Jonathan intended that David should stay at the stone Ezel, where probably there was some kind of cave, or hiding place; that, to prevent all suspicion, he would not go to him himself, but take his servant into the fields, and pretend to be exercising himself in archery; that he would shoot three arrows, the better to cover his design; and that, if he should say to his servant, who went to bring back the arrows, "The arrows are…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-23Verses 11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-22Jonathan's plan would allow David to get the message even if there could be no face-to-face meeting. The boy's presence reduced suspicion and gave Jonathan an excuse to go to the field. As it happened, only the boy went with Jonathan to the field. When the boy left, David could talk to Jonathan directly (1 Samuel 20:40–42).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 20:20

• Archery
• Arrow

In the dictionaries

• Artillery
• Benjamin
• David
• Require
• Games
• Jesse
• Jonathan (2)
• Mark
• Samuel, Books of
• Benjamin, the Tribe of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary