1 Samuel 20:20
And I will shoot three arrowes on the side thereof, as though I shot at a marke. 1 Samuel 20:20 (KJV)
In this passage Jonathan speaks to David about a covert signal they have arranged to discover King Saul’s true disposition toward David. The brief formula—shooting arrows on the side as if aiming at a mark—encapsulates a carefully planned method of communication that will reveal whether David may safely return to Saul’s court.
Context: At this juncture Saul’s jealousy and fear of David have escalated to a dangerous level. Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s close friend, perceives that his father intends to harm the young shepherd. To verify this suspicion without exposing themselves, Jonathan devises a signal involving arrows. When the signal is given, David will know whether the political climate remains hostile or has softened.
Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between Jonathan and David is a recurring theme throughout 1 Samuel. Their relationship is marked by deep loyalty, mutual respect, and a willingness to risk personal safety for one another. Jonathan’s readiness to defy his father’s wishes demonstrates the extraordinary depth of that friendship, and the arrow signal becomes a tangible expression of his protective commitment.
Covert Communication: By arranging to shoot the arrows in a particular manner, Jonathan creates a secret code that only David understands. The signal will indicate whether it is safe for David to return or whether he must remain hidden. This ingenuity highlights their resourcefulness and the lengths they will go to safeguard each other.
Faith in God’s Guidance: Although the verse itself does not mention God, the broader narrative shows both men relying on divine providence. Their actions are undergirded by trust in the LORD’s plan for their lives. As another verse records, “And Jonathan said unto David, When I have taken up the arrows, I will place them aside, and I will say, ‘The LORD deliver thee’; and he shall say, ‘Behold, the LORD is with thee.’” (1 Samuel 20:18, KJV). This reinforces the conviction that their friendship operates within God’s sovereign care.
Thus, the arrow signal is more than a tactical maneuver; it is a testament to steadfast friendship, prudent secrecy, and reliance on God’s guiding hand amid political peril.
