King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:37 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:37 in the King James Version says “And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 20:37 · KJV


Context

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.

39

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

Jonathan's cry - 'Is not the arrow beyond thee?' - ostensibly addressed the servant but spoke to David hiding nearby. The question format emphasized the signal: beyond means danger, beyond means flee. David heard his friend's voice delivering news that would separate them for years. The rhetorical question demanded an answer the boy did not understand but David comprehended completely. Sometimes we must hear life-changing news in coded form, receiving destiny through indirect speech.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Shouted instructions during archery practice were completely normal. The distance between shooter and retriever required loud voice. Jonathan's question form ensured David could not miss the signal's meaning.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you received significant messages through indirect means?
  2. What emotions might David have experienced hearing Jonathan's coded message?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיָּבֹ֤א1 of 17

was come

H935

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

הַנַּ֙עַר֙2 of 17

And when 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

עַד3 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְק֣וֹם4 of 17

to the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַחֵ֖צִי5 of 17

Is not the arrow

H2678

an arrow

אֲשֶׁ֥ר6 of 17
H834

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

יָרָ֖ה7 of 17

had 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

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן8 of 17

Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

וַיִּקְרָ֨א9 of 17

cried

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן10 of 17

Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

אַֽחֲרֵ֤י11 of 17

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַנַּ֙עַר֙12 of 17

And when 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

וַיֹּ֔אמֶר13 of 17

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲל֥וֹא14 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הַחֵ֖צִי15 of 17

Is not the arrow

H2678

an arrow

מִמְּךָ֥16 of 17
H4480

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

וָהָֽלְאָה׃17 of 17

beyond

H1973

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


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 20:37 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 20:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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