1 samuel 20:19 - When you have stayed three days, go down quickly, and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:19

What does "1 samuel 20:19" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 20:19, is part of a secret signal code developed between Jonathan and David to let David know if King Saul, Jonathan's father, still intends to kill him. Let's break it down:

"When you have stayed three days...": David is to remain hidden for three days after a planned feast where Saul's intentions will be revealed. This three-day waiting period is crucial to allow Jonathan time to observe Saul's behavior and then enact the secret signal.

"...go down quickly...": This implies that David is to quickly leave his hiding place after the three days.

"...and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started...": David should return to the location where he first concealed himself when Saul began to suspect and threaten him. This is a pre-arranged meeting spot, likely known to both David and Jonathan, to ensure they can find each other.

"...and remain by the stone Ezel.": The "stone Ezel" is a specific landmark or boundary marker. Its location is known to both David and Jonathan. This is the designated spot for the signal to be given.

In essence, the entire code hinges on David being observant of pre-arranged details and Jonathan later coming to provide either a "good news" or "bad news" signal at the rock.

Significance:
This verse is crucial to understanding the bond between David and Jonathan. It highlights their commitment to each other's safety despite the danger posed by Saul. It shows Jonathan's willingness to risk his own safety to protect David, and David's trust in Jonathan's loyalty. The detail and precision of the signal indicate that David and Jonathan have planned very carefully for this contingency.

The next verses describe the method Jonathan used to signal David, including the use of arrows and a young boy to convey a coded message. Jonathan's words to the boy would indirectly convey whether or not David was safe to return to Saul's court.

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