King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:36 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:36 in the King James Version says “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. b... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. beyond: Heb. to pass over him

1 Samuel 20:36 · KJV


Context

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. beyond: Heb. to pass over 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The signal unfolds: 'arrow beyond him' communicates the worst - David must flee. Jonathan shot deliberately beyond the boy, encoding danger in distance. The lad ran innocently while Jonathan delivered sentence of separation. The arrow's trajectory pointed to David's future - beyond, away, into exile. Simple archery practice masked heartbreaking farewell. Physical direction carried spiritual meaning; the arrow pointing beyond spoke of journeys ahead and friends left behind.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archery practice routinely involved servants retrieving arrows. The boy's running provided natural context for shouting distance-related instructions. Jonathan's control of arrow placement allowed precise signal delivery.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have ordinary actions in your life carried hidden significance?
  2. What does the arrow 'beyond' symbolize about David's immediate future?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 16

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַנַּ֣עַר2 of 16

And as the 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

רָ֔ץ3 of 16

Run

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

מְצָ֥א4 of 16

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

נָא֙5 of 16
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶת6 of 16
H853

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

הַ֣חִצִּ֔ים7 of 16

now the arrows

H2671

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִ֖י9 of 16
H595

i

יָרָ֥ה10 of 16

he shot

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

הַנַּ֣עַר11 of 16

And as the 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

רָ֔ץ12 of 16

Run

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

וְהֽוּא13 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָרָ֥ה14 of 16

he shot

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

הַחֵ֖צִי15 of 16

an arrow

H2678

an arrow

לְהַֽעֲבִרֽוֹ׃16 of 16

beyond

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in


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 20:36 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 20:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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