1 Samuel Chapter 20 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
הַנַּ֣עַר
And as the lad
H5288
הַנַּ֣עַר
And as the lad
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
2 of 16
(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
מְצָ֥א
find out
H4672
מְצָ֥א
find out
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 16
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
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
5 of 16
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַ֣חִצִּ֔ים
now the arrows
H2671
הַ֣חִצִּ֔ים
now the arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָרָ֥ה
he shot
H3384
יָרָ֥ה
he shot
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
10 of 16
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
הַנַּ֣עַר
And as the lad
H5288
הַנַּ֣עַר
And as the lad
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
11 of 16
(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
וְהֽוּא
H1931
וְהֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 16
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
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How have ordinary actions in your life carried hidden significance?
- What does the arrow 'beyond' symbolize about David's immediate future?
Analysis & 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.