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. Berean Literal Bible But if thus I say to the young man: ‘Behold, the arrows are away from you and further beyond,’ then you must go, for YHWH 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. Berean Annotated Bible But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD {YHWH} 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you 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; Berean Literal Bible But if thus I say to the young man: ‘Behold, the arrows are away from you and further beyond,’ then you must 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 But if I say to the young man, 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Kings 18:43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” 2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ 2 Kings 13:17-19 “Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.” / Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped. / But the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times.” Psalm 18:14 He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them. Psalm 77:17 The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. then you must go, 1 Samuel 19:12-17 So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. / When Saul sent the messengers to seize David, Michal said, “He is ill.” … 1 Samuel 21:10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 2 Samuel 15:14 And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.” for the LORD has sent you away. Isaiah 50:1 This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. Genesis 3:23-24 Therefore the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. / So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life. 2 Kings 17:18-23 So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence. … 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. 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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 20:22?2. How does 1 Samuel 20:22 demonstrate Jonathan's loyalty to David over Saul? 3. What does the "arrows" signal reveal about God's protection in 1 Samuel 20:22? 4. How can we discern God's guidance like David in 1 Samuel 20:22? 5. Compare Jonathan's actions with Jesus' teachings on friendship in John 15:13. 6. How can we apply Jonathan's courage in our relationships today? 7. What is the significance of the arrow signal in 1 Samuel 20:22? 8. How does 1 Samuel 20:22 reflect the theme of friendship and loyalty? 9. What historical context surrounds the events of 1 Samuel 20:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 20? 11. Why did Abiathar and Ahimelech face King Saul's wrath? 12. Are the clandestine signals used by Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:19-22 verifiable through any parallel ancient Near Eastern texts or historical records? 13. In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise? 14. 1 Samuel 3:7 - How could a child with no prior knowledge of God accurately identify and respond to a supernatural voice? What Does 1 Samuel 20:22 Mean But if I say to the young manJonathan is outlining a pre-arranged signal. • The “young man” is Jonathan’s attendant (1 Samuel 20:35), an unwitting participant who will keep Saul from suspecting anything. • Jonathan’s words highlight responsible foresight, much like the advance planning Moses used with Joshua in Exodus 17:9–10. • By speaking to the servant rather than directly to David, Jonathan shields both of them—“the prudent sees danger and hides” (Proverbs 22:3). ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ This phrase is the code that danger is real and immediate. • Jonathan had first proposed this plan in 1 Samuel 20:21, giving David a way to judge Saul’s intentions without exposing himself. • Arrows launched “beyond” the servant would be common enough not to arouse suspicion, yet clear to David hiding nearby. • Similar covert signals appear when Rahab ties a scarlet cord to protect the spies (Joshua 2:18–21). then you must go, The command is urgent and absolute. • David is not to wait for further discussion; obedience equals survival (1 Samuel 19:11–12). • Faith often requires swift action—Joseph fled with Mary and Jesus “by night” to Egypt (Matthew 2:14). • Leaving does not equal defeat; it is strategic retreat until God opens another door (1 Samuel 23:14; Acts 9:25). for the LORD has sent you away. Jonathan interprets events theologically, not merely politically. • God’s sovereign hand directs David’s steps (Psalm 37:23) even when Saul plots harm. • This departure is not random exile; it is divine positioning that will eventually place David on the throne (1 Samuel 16:1, 13). • Like Elijah leaving for the brook Cherith at God’s word (1 Kings 17:3–4), David’s going is protective and preparatory. summary Each phrase of 1 Samuel 20:22 fits into a loving covenant between Jonathan and David, yet above their friendship stands God’s guiding purpose. Jonathan’s signal protects David, David’s obedience preserves his life, and the Lord’s sovereignty moves the future king toward his ordained destiny. 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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