1 Samuel 20:20

20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.

1 Samuel 20:20 in Other Translations

20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

20 I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target.

20 I'll shoot three arrows in the direction of the boulder.

20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

20 I will shoot three arrows from beside it toward a target.

20 I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I'm aiming at a target.

20 Wait by it. "I'll shoot three arrows to one side of the stone. I'll pretend I'm practicing my shooting.

1 Samuel 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:20

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.

1 Samuel 20:20 In-Context

18 Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.

20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.

21 Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,’ then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger.

22 But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 13:15