1 Samuel 20:31-41

31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established , nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die *.

32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain ? what hath he done ?

33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, 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 , find out now 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.

39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go , carry them to the city.

41 And as soon as the lad was gone , David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded .

1 Samuel 20:31-41 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]. beyond...: Heb. to pass over him
• [b]. artillery: Heb. instruments