How does 1 Samuel 20:38 illustrate the importance of communication in friendships?

The Verse in Focus

“Then Jonathan called to David, ‘Hurry! Make haste, and do not delay.’ So Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrows and brought them to his master.” (1 Samuel 20:38)

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Setting: Jonathan and David

• Saul seeks David’s life; Jonathan and David devise the arrow-signal plan (1 Samuel 20:18-23).

• Jonathan’s shout, though addressed to the servant, is meant for David hiding beyond the target.

• The urgency in “Hurry! Make haste, and do not delay” carries a life-or-death weight.

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Communication Lessons Drawn

• Clarity matters

– Jonathan’s words are unmistakable. Ambiguity would have endangered David.

– Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.”

• Timeliness preserves life and trust

– Jonathan sends the message at the precise moment Saul’s threat is confirmed.

– Proverbs 27:9: “The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Earnest counsel arrives when it’s needed, not after.

• Loyalty expresses itself in action-oriented words

– “Hurry!” signals Jonathan’s active protection of David.

– John 15:15: Jesus shares vital knowledge with His friends; friendship involves revealing, not concealing.

• Discretion protects the vulnerable

– The servant hears only an archery instruction; David alone knows its deeper meaning.

– Proverbs 17:9: Love “covers” offenses—here love covers the covert message from hostile ears.

• Mutual understanding grows from prior conversation

– Jonathan’s shout works because David and he had pre-arranged the code (1 Samuel 20:19-23).

– Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?” Agreement beforehand enables seamless nonverbal cues later.

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A Pattern for Our Friendships

1. Talk openly before crises arise—set shared expectations.

2. Speak clearly and promptly when danger or misunderstanding threatens.

3. Use words to act for your friend’s good, not merely to inform.

4. Guard sensitive information while still conveying truth.

5. Maintain signals of trust—little agreements that reinforce big loyalty (Proverbs 27:17).

1 Samuel 20:38 captures a split-second of decisive, loving communication. In that breath Jonathan proves that true friends keep each other safe through clear, timely, purposeful words.