Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away. New Living Translation But if I tell him, ‘Go farther—the arrows are still ahead of you,’ then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the LORD is sending you away. English Standard Version But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. Berean Standard Bible But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. King James Bible 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. New King James Version But if I say thus to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you’—go your way, for the LORD has sent you away. New American Standard Bible But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, because the LORD has sent you away. NASB 1995 “But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away. NASB 1977 “But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away. Legacy Standard Bible But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for Yahweh has sent you away. Amplified Bible But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. Christian Standard Bible But if I say this to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you! ’ then go, for the LORD is sending you away. Holman Christian Standard Bible But if I say this to the youth: ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you!’ then go, for the LORD is sending you away. American Standard Version But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for Jehovah hath sent thee away. Contemporary English Version But if it isn't safe, I'll say to the boy, "The arrows are farther away!" This will mean that the LORD wants you to leave, and you must go. English Revised Version But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee: go thy way; for the LORD hath sent thee away. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if I tell the boy, 'The arrows are next to you,' then go, because the LORD has sent you away. Good News Translation But if I tell him, 'The arrows are on the other side of you,' then leave, because the LORD is sending you away. International Standard Version But if I say this to the young man: 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away. Majority Standard Bible But if I say to the young man, ?Look, the arrows are beyond you,? then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. NET Bible But if I say to the boy, "Look, the arrows are on the other side of you,' get away. For in that case the LORD has sent you away. New Heart English Bible But if I say this to the boy, 'Look, the arrow is beyond you;' then go your way; for the LORD has sent you away. Webster's Bible Translation But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. World English Bible But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if thus I say to the young man, Behold, the arrows [are] beyond you—go, for YHWH has sent you away; Young's Literal Translation And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows are beyond thee, -- go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away; Smith's Literal Translation And if saying thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows from thee, and forward; go: for Jehovah sent thee away. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf I shall say to the boy: Behold the arrows are on this side of thee, take them up: come thou to me, because, there is peace to thee, and there is no evil, as the Lord liveth. But if I shall speak thus to the boy: Behold the arrows are beyond thee: go in peace, for the Lord hath sent thee away. Catholic Public Domain Version If I will say to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are before you, take them up,’ you shall approach before me, because there is peace for you, and there is nothing evil, as the Lord lives. But if I will have spoken to the boy in this way, ‘Behold, the arrows are away from you,’ then you shall go away in peace, for the Lord has released you. New American Bible But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrow is beyond you,’ go, for the LORD sends you away. New Revised Standard Version But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go; for the LORD has sent you away. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if I say thus to the lad, Behold, the arrows are beyond you; then go your way; for the LORD has sent you away. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if I say thus to the boy: ‘Behold, the arrows are beside you and beyond!’ Go, because LORD JEHOVAH is sending you away OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But if I say thus unto the boy: Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for the LORD hath sent thee away. Brenton Septuagint Translation If I should expressly say to the lad, The arrow is here, and on this side of thee, take it; then come, for it is well with thee, and there is no reason for fear, as the Lord lives: but if I should say thus to the young man, The arrow is on that side of thee, and beyond; go, for the Lord hath sent thee away. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant…21Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 22But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”… Cross References Genesis 31:49 It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other. 2 Kings 6:23 So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Jeremiah 9:4 “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.” Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 26:48-49 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Luke 22:47-48 While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” John 15:13-15 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. / You are My friends if you do what I command you. / No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. John 18:15-16 Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Acts 9:25 One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall. Treasury of Scripture But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond you; go your way: for the LORD has sent you away. Jump to Previous Arrow Arrows Boy Look Past Way Young YouthJump to Next Arrow Arrows Boy Look Past Way Young Youth1 Samuel 20 1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath 18. Jonathan's token to David 23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan 35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David But if I say to the young man, This phrase introduces a conditional statement, indicating a prearranged signal between Jonathan and David. In the context of ancient Israel, communication through intermediaries or coded messages was common, especially in situations requiring secrecy. Jonathan's use of a young man, likely a servant, reflects the hierarchical social structure of the time, where servants often played roles in executing the plans of their masters. ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul who seeks his life. David is a central figure in this account, representing God's chosen leader. 2. Jonathan The son of King Saul and a close friend of David. Jonathan is caught between his loyalty to his father and his covenant friendship with David. 3. King Saul The first king of Israel, who has become increasingly paranoid and hostile towards David, seeing him as a threat to his throne. 4. The Field The location where Jonathan and David meet to discuss Saul's intentions. It serves as a neutral ground for their secret communication. 5. The Young Man (Lad) A servant of Jonathan who is unaware of the true purpose of the arrow-shooting signal, used as a means of communication between Jonathan and David. Teaching Points Divine Guidance in UncertaintyJust as Jonathan and David relied on God's guidance through their circumstances, we too must seek God's direction in times of uncertainty. Trust that God will provide clarity and a path forward. The Value of Godly Friendships Jonathan and David's relationship exemplifies the importance of having friends who encourage us in our faith and stand by us in trials. Cultivate friendships that are rooted in mutual faith and support. Courage to Act Righteously Jonathan's actions demonstrate the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult. We are called to act with integrity and righteousness, trusting God with the outcomes. The Sovereignty of God The phrase "for the LORD has sent you away" underscores God's sovereignty in the unfolding events. Recognize that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But ifוְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I say אֹמַר֙ (’ō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to the young man, לָעֶ֔לֶם (lā·‘e·lem) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5958: Something kept out of sight, a lad ‘Look, הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the arrows [are] הַחִצִּ֖ים (ha·ḥiṣ·ṣîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2678: An arrow beyond you,’ מִמְּךָ֣ (mim·mə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of then וָהָ֑לְאָה (wā·hā·lə·’āh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 1973: To the distance, far away, thus far you must go, לֵ֕ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the LORD יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has sent you away. שִֽׁלַּחֲךָ֖ (šil·la·ḥă·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out Links 1 Samuel 20:22 NIV1 Samuel 20:22 NLT 1 Samuel 20:22 ESV 1 Samuel 20:22 NASB 1 Samuel 20:22 KJV 1 Samuel 20:22 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 20:22 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 20:22 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 20:22 French Bible 1 Samuel 20:22 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say thus to (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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