1 Samuel 20:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
לָעֶ֔לֶם
thus unto the young man
H5958
לָעֶ֔לֶם
thus unto the young man
Strong's:
H5958
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, something kept out of sight, i.e., a lad
הַחִצִּ֖ים
Behold the arrows
H2671
הַחִצִּ֖ים
Behold the arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
מִמְּךָ֣
H4480
מִמְּךָ֣
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וָהָ֑לְאָה
are beyond
H1973
וָהָ֑לְאָה
are beyond
Strong's:
H1973
Word #:
8 of 12
to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far
לֵ֕ךְ
H1980
לֵ֕ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you interpret difficult circumstances as divine direction rather than mere human opposition?
- What does it mean to view forced departure as 'the LORD hath sent thee away'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.