And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad ,.... "His vessels" F12 את כליו "vasa sua", Montanus; "instrumenta sua", Piscator; "arma sua", V. L. Tigurine version. or instruments; his arms, as the Targum, his quiver, bow, and arrows: and said unto him, go, carry them to the city ; to Gibeah, to Jonathan's house, or to his apartments at court there. read more
Jonathan gave his artillery - I believe this to be the only place in our language where the word artillery is not applied to cannon or ordnance. The original ( כלי keley ) signifies simply instruments, and here means the bow, quiver, and arrows. read more
Warning in danger. The facts are— 1 . In accordance with arrangement, Jonathan, on the next day, goes out into the field, and, on shooting the arrow beyond the lad with him, he cries out the signal of danger. 2 . David recognises the sign, and the lad is sent away to the city. 3 . Thereupon David and Jonathan embrace each other, and take a sorrowful farewell—Jonathan giving him his benediction, and reminding him for his comfort of the sacred covenant between them both. A... read more
His artillery. I.e. his weapons. To get rid of the boy Jonathan sends him home with his bow and arrows, and then David arose out of a place toward the south, or "from the south side" of the stone Ezel, and while not forgetting in his repeated obeisance the honour due to Jonathan's dignity, yet friendship prevailed, and they kissed one another and wept sore, until David exceeded , i.e. broke down, and was completely mastered by his grief. And so they parted, David to begin a life of... read more
1 Samuel 20:40. His artillery His bow, and arrows, and quiver. 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
artillery = weapons. Word extended from Latin. ars = art. The oldest art was ploughing, but the chief weapon in the art of war has usurped to itself this word. read more
40. Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad—that is, his missive weapons. The French word artillerie, signifies "archery." The term is still used in England, in the designation of the "artillery company of London," the association of archers, though they have long disused bows and arrows. Jonathan's boy being despatched out of the way, the friends enjoyed the satisfaction of a final meeting. 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 20:42. JONATHAN AND DAVID LOVINGLY PART. read more
2. Jonathan’s advocacy for David ch. 20This chapter records Jonathan’s last attempt to reconcile Saul to David. The emphasis is on the hardening of Saul’s heart that God allowed since the king refused to genuinely repent. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:35-42
Here is, 1. Jonathan's faithful performance of his promise to give David notice of the success of his dangerous experiment. He went at the time and to the place appointed (1 Sam. 20:35), within sight of which he knew David lay hid, sent his footboy to fetch his arrows, which he would shoot at random (1 Sam. 20:36), and gave David the fatal signal by shooting an arrow beyond the lad (1 Sam. 20:37): Isa. not the arrow beyond thee? That word [beyond] David knew the meaning of better than the lad.... read more