King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:22 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:22 in the King James Version says “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.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 20:22 · King James Version

Context

20

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

21

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

22

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.

23

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

24

So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

The signal's negative interpretation: 'arrows beyond thee' means flee - 'the LORD hath sent thee away.' The theological framing - 'the LORD hath sent thee away' - places David's departure under divine direction rather than mere human circumstance. Even flight would be God's guidance, not defeat. Jonathan's language transformed potential tragedy into providential direction. Whatever the message, God remained sovereign. The arrows 'beyond' pointed David forward into God's purposes even if those purposes led away from everything familiar.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Arrows shot beyond the retriever indicated the direction of departure. The theological interpretation elevated human communication to divine guidance. Jonathan's framing helped David interpret even negative outcomes as God's leading.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you interpret difficult circumstances as divine direction rather than mere human opposition?
  2. What does it mean to view forced departure as 'the LORD hath sent thee away'?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאִם1 of 12
H518

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

כֹּ֤ה2 of 12
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אֹמַר֙3 of 12

“But if I say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָעֶ֔לֶם4 of 12

“thus unto the young man”

H5958

properly, something kept out of sight, i.e., a lad

הִנֵּ֥ה5 of 12
H2009

lo!

הַחִצִּ֖ים6 of 12

“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

מִמְּךָ֣7 of 12
H4480

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

וָהָ֑לְאָה8 of 12

“are beyond”

H1973

to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far

לֵ֕ךְ9 of 12
H1980

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

כִּ֥י10 of 12
H3588

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

שִֽׁלַּחֲךָ֖11 of 12

“hath sent thee away”

H7971

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

יְהוָֽה׃12 of 12

“for 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 20:22 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 20:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 20:37

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