1 Samuel 20:36

36 And he said unto his lad, Run and find the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

1 Samuel 20:36 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:36

And he said unto his lad, run, find out now the arrows which
I shoot
He no doubt told him the mark which he should shoot at, the stone Ezel, and bid him look out about that for them:

[and] as the lad ran;
before he had got to the mark:

he shot an arrow beyond him:
or it; beyond the lad, or beyond the mark he shot at; purposely shooting with great strength, that he might exceed, and thereby give notice to David how things stood, which was the sign agreed on.

1 Samuel 20:36 In-Context

34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved for David and because his father had done him shame.

35 And it came to pass in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

36 And he said unto his lad, Run and find the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows and came to his master.