What is the context of 1 Samuel 20:21?

1 Samuel 20:21 is part of 1 Samuel chapter 20, which contains 42 verses. This verse has 4 cross-references to other scriptures, showing its connections throughout the Bible.

King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:21 in the King James Version says “And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth. no hurt: Heb. not any thing”

1 Samuel 20:21 · KJV

Peace

Context

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. quickly: or, diligently: Heb. greatly when the: Heb. in the day of the business Ezel: or, that sheweth the way

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

The signal system's positive interpretation: 'arrows on this side' means safety - 'there is peace to thee, and no hurt.' The unwitting lad becomes instrument of communication without understanding its significance. Jonathan's oath 'as the LORD liveth' adds divine witness to the signal's reliability. The phrase 'come thou' indicates David could safely return. Such elaborate signaling protected both friends while accomplishing necessary communication.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Using servants for tasks they did not fully understand was common practice. The servant's ignorance protected him from being implicated if the scheme was discovered. Jonathan's invocation of God added solemnity to an otherwise ordinary archery exercise.

Reflection Questions

How do you protect others from the full weight of difficult situations they help you navigate?
What does the servant's unknowing participation teach about God's use of unaware instruments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words

וְהִנֵּה֙1 of 25

H2009

lo!

אֶשְׁלַ֣ח2 of 25

“And behold I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת3 of 25

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לַנַּ֜עַר4 of 25

“a lad”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

לֵ֖ךְ5 of 25

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מְצָ֣א6 of 25

“find out”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֶת7 of 25

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַחִצִּ֣ים׀8 of 25

“Behold the arrows”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

אִם9 of 25

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֹמַ֨ר10 of 25

“If I expressly”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֹמַ֨ר11 of 25

“If I expressly”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַנַּ֜עַר12 of 25

“a lad”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

הִנֵּ֥ה13 of 25

H2009

lo!

הַחִצִּ֣ים׀14 of 25

“Behold the arrows”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

מִמְּךָ֣15 of 25

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וָהֵ֗נָּה16 of 25

H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

קָחֶ֧נּוּ׀17 of 25

“are on this side of thee take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וָבֹ֛אָה18 of 25

“them then come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כִּֽי19 of 25

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁל֥וֹם20 of 25

“thou for there is peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לְךָ֛21 of 25

וְאֵ֥ין22 of 25

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

דָּבָ֖ר23 of 25

“to thee and no hurt”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

חַי24 of 25

“liveth”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

“as the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 20:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 20:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:2 Amos 8:14 Jeremiah 5:2 Jeremiah 12:16

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