1 Samuel 20:36

36 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.

1 Samuel 20:36 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:36

And he said unto his lad, run, find out now the arrows which
I shoot
He no doubt told him the mark which he should shoot at, the stone Ezel, and bid him look out about that for them:

[and] as the lad ran;
before he had got to the mark:

he shot an arrow beyond him:
or it; beyond the lad, or beyond the mark he shot at; purposely shooting with great strength, that he might exceed, and thereby give notice to David how things stood, which was the sign agreed on.

1 Samuel 20:36 In-Context

34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame .

35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

36 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.

37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot , Jonathan cried after the lad, and said , Is not the arrow beyond thee?

38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste , stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows , and came to his master.

Footnotes

• [a]. beyond...: Heb. to pass over him