1 Samuel 20:20

20 and I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof 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 David, Tomorrow is the new moon, and thou shalt be missed because thy seat will be empty.

19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself on the day of the work and shalt remain by the stone Ezel;

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

21 And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee; take them, then come thou, for there is peace unto thee and no hurt, as the LORD lives.

22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee, then go away, for the LORD has sent thee away.