1 Samuel 20:22

22 But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' you must go, because the Lord is sending you away.

1 Samuel 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:22

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 immediately: the signals were these, that if things were favourable, then he would shoot his arrows on one side of the lad, and David might come out and show himself at once; but if not, he would shoot them beyond him, by which he might know that he must flee for his life.

1 Samuel 20:22 In-Context

20 On the third day I will shoot three arrows to the side of the rock as if I am shooting at a target.
21 Then I will send a boy to find the arrows. If I say to him, 'The arrows are near you; bring them here,' you may come out of hiding. You are safe. As the Lord lives, there is no danger.
22 But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' you must go, because the Lord is sending you away.
23 Remember what we talked about. The Lord is a witness between you and me forever."
24 So David hid in the field. When the New Moon festival came, the king sat down to eat.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.