1 Samuel 20:20

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

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 Jonathan then laid out his plan: "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you'll be missed when you don't show up for dinner.

19 On the third day, when they've quit expecting you, come to the place where you hid before, and wait beside that big boulder.

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

21 Then I'll send off my servant, 'Go find the arrows.' If I yell after the servant, 'The arrows are on this side! Retrieve them!' that's the signal that you can return safely - as God lives, not a thing to fear!

22 But if I yell, 'The arrows are farther out!' then run for it - God wants you out of here!