1 Samuel 20:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶשְׁלַ֣ח
And behold I will send
H7971
אֶשְׁלַ֣ח
And behold I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַנַּ֜עַר
a lad
H5288
לַנַּ֜עַר
a lad
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
4 of 25
(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
לֵ֖ךְ
H1980
לֵ֖ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מְצָ֣א
find out
H4672
מְצָ֣א
find out
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
6 of 25
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחִצִּ֣ים׀
Behold the arrows
H2671
הַחִצִּ֣ים׀
Behold the arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
9 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לַנַּ֜עַר
a lad
H5288
לַנַּ֜עַר
a lad
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
12 of 25
(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
הַחִצִּ֣ים׀
Behold the arrows
H2671
הַחִצִּ֣ים׀
Behold the arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
14 of 25
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 #:
15 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וָהֵ֗נָּה
H2008
קָחֶ֧נּוּ׀
are on this side of thee take
H3947
קָחֶ֧נּוּ׀
are on this side of thee take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
17 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וָבֹ֛אָה
them then come
H935
וָבֹ֛אָה
them then come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
18 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁל֥וֹם
thou for there is peace
H7965
שָׁל֥וֹם
thou for there is peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
20 of 25
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
דָּבָ֖ר
to thee and no hurt
H1697
דָּבָ֖ר
to thee and no hurt
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Using servants for tasks they did not fully understand was common practice. The servant's ignorance protected him from being implicated if the scheme was discovered. Jonathan's invocation of God added solemnity to an otherwise ordinary archery exercise.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you protect others from the full weight of difficult situations they help you navigate?
- What does the servant's unknowing participation teach about God's use of unaware instruments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The signal system's positive interpretation: 'arrows on this side' means safety - 'there is peace to thee, and no hurt.' The unwitting lad becomes instrument of communication without understanding its significance. Jonathan's oath 'as the LORD liveth' adds divine witness to the signal's reliability. The phrase 'come thou' indicates David could safely return. Such elaborate signaling protected both friends while accomplishing necessary communication.