And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof ,.... On the side of the stone Ezel; three are pitched upon, according to the number of the days David was missing: as though I shot at a mark ; as if he made the stone the mark he shot at; so that his shooting would not be taken notice of. read more
And, behold, I will send a lad ,.... That attended on him, and carried his bow and arrows, and fetched his arrows when he had shot them: saying , go, find out the arrows ; where they are fallen, and return them: if I expressly say unto the lad, behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them ; on one side of him, whether the one or the other, which he would bid him take up, and bring them to him: then come thou ; David, out of the place where he hid himself: for ... read more
But if I say thus unto the young man, behold, the arrows are beyond thee ,.... Being shot to a greater distance than where the young man was: go thy way, for the Lord hath sent thee away ; then he was to depart directly, without staying to have any conversation with Jonathan, which would not be safe for either of them, and so make the best of his way into the country, and escape for his life; for so it was ordered by the providence of God, that he must not stay, but be gone... read more
I 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 on this side of thee," this... read more
The spring of self-sacrifice. The facts are— 1 . Jonathan and David retire from observation to confer further. 2 . Jonathan undertakes to do all that David requires, and solemnly pledges himself to let him know the mind of Saul. 3 . He pleads with David, in prospect of his elevation to power, that he and his house may receive mercy. 4 . In his eagerness he seeks a renewal of David's promise. 5 . They then arrange that, after consulting with Saul, an arrow before or... read more
The two friends now agree upon the sign. Jonathan was to shoot three arrows at this stone, Ezel, as his mark, and was then to send his servant to gather them up. When he bad gone some distance Jonathan was to shout to him, loud enough for David to hear. If Jonathan said that the arrows were on that side the mark, i.e. between it and Jonathan, David was to come forth boldly, as all was well. But if Jonathan said that the arrows were further on, then David must understand that he was to seek... read more
1 Samuel 20:21-23. I will send a lad, &c. I will send him before I shoot, to find and take up the arrows which I shall shoot: and I shall shoot them either short of him or beyond him, as I shall see occasion. If I say, Behold the arrows are beyond thee This signal seems to have been agreed on between them, in case Jonathan was so watched and followed, as not to have an opportunity of communing with David by word of mouth. The Lord be between thee and me As a witness and a judge, and... read more
20:1-31:13 SAUL’S PURSUIT OF DAVIDJonathan helps David escape (20:1-42)Apparently Jonathan did not know of the number of attempts that his father had made to kill David (20:1-2). When he saw that David was genuinely fearful, he agreed to co-operate with David in finding out Saul’s real intentions once and for all (3-9).Jonathan’s love for David was genuine. Even though he knew that David, and not he, would be the next king, he showed no sign of jealousy. He asked only that David, on becoming... read more
1 Samuel 20:21. And behold, I will send a lad, &c.— Moreover, I will send a lad, commanding him to go, and find out the arrows. If, therefore, I shall say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee; take thou them, and come; for there is peace to thee, &c. Houb. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:9-23
Here, I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress. Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet, because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence, and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him, Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his friendship to him (1 Sam. 20:9): ?Far be it from thee to think that I suspect thee of any crime for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee... read more