1 Samuel 20:20

20 I will shoot three arrows [to the] side as [if] I were shooting at a target.

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, for your seat will stay empty.

19 On the third day you must go down quickly and go to the place where you hid yourself {on the day all this started} and remain beside the stone Ezel.

20 I will shoot three arrows [to the] side as [if] I were shooting at a target.

21 {Then} I will send [word to] my servant, 'Go, find the arrows!' If I clearly say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows [are] {on this side of you}; {bring} it,' then come, for [it means] peace for you. And there is no problem, {as Yahweh lives}.

22 But if I say this to the young man, 'Look, the arrows [are] {beyond you},' go, for Yahweh has sent you away.