1 Samuel 20:13-23

13 But if my father plans to hurt you, I will let you know and send you away safely. May the Lord punish me terribly if I don't do this. And may the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.
14 But show me the kindness of the Lord as long as I live so that I may not die.
15 You must never stop showing your kindness to my family, even when the Lord has destroyed all your enemies from the earth."
16 So Jonathan made an agreement with David. He said, "May the Lord hold David's enemies responsible."
17 And Jonathan asked David to repeat his promise of love for him, because he loved David as much as he loved himself.
18 Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival. Your seat will be empty, so my father will miss you.
19 On the third day go to the place where you hid when this trouble began. Wait by the rock Ezel.
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."

1 Samuel 20:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 20

David fleeing from Naioth came to Jonathan, and acquainted him with his circumstances, and entreated his favour, 1Sa 20:1-8; which Jonathan promised, and renewed the covenant with him, 1Sa 20:9-17; a scheme was formed between them, by which David might know whether Saul was reconciled to him, and he might come to court, 1Sa 20:18-23; which being tried, Jonathan found it was not safe for him to appear, 1Sa 20:24-34; of which he gave notice by the signals agreed on, 1Sa 20:35-40; and they took their leave of one another with strong expressions of affection and attachment to each other, 1Sa 20:41,42.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.