1 Samuel 20:11-21

11 “Come out to the field with me,” Jonathan replied. And they went out there together.

12 Then Jonathan told David, “I promise by the LORD, the God of Israel, that by this time tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, I will talk to my father and let you know at once how he feels about you. If he speaks favorably about you, I will let you know.

13 But if he is angry and wants you killed, may the LORD strike me and even kill me if I don’t warn you so you can escape and live. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.

14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die,

15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.”

16 So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the LORD destroy all your enemies!”

17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

18 Then Jonathan said, “Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. You will be missed when your place at the table is empty.

19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid before, and wait there by the stone pile.

20 I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target.

21 Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back. If you hear me tell him, ‘They’re on this side,’ then you will know, as surely as the LORD lives, that all is well, and there is no trouble.

1 Samuel 20:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 20

David fleeing from Naioth came to Jonathan, and acquainted him with his circumstances, and entreated his favour, 1Sa 20:1-8; which Jonathan promised, and renewed the covenant with him, 1Sa 20:9-17; a scheme was formed between them, by which David might know whether Saul was reconciled to him, and he might come to court, 1Sa 20:18-23; which being tried, Jonathan found it was not safe for him to appear, 1Sa 20:24-34; of which he gave notice by the signals agreed on, 1Sa 20:35-40; and they took their leave of one another with strong expressions of affection and attachment to each other, 1Sa 20:41,42.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew with the house of David.
• [b]. Hebrew the stone Ezel. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.