1 Samuel 20:20

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

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 him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19 On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap.

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

21 And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows. ’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them, ’ then you are to come, for, as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.

22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you, ’ then go, for the Lord has sent you away.