1 samuel 20:22 - But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you;’ then go your way; for Yahweh has sent you away.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:22

What does "1 samuel 20:22" mean?


This verse is part of a pre-arranged signal between Jonathan and David, designed to determine whether King Saul intended to kill David. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

Context: David is in hiding because King Saul, Jonathan's father, is jealous and wants to kill him. David and Jonathan are close friends and have made a covenant. They've devised a code so Jonathan can safely determine Saul's intentions and communicate them to David.

The "boy": Refers to the young servant that Jonathan will send to gather arrows as part of the test.

"Behold, the arrows are beyond you": This is the key phrase of the pre-arranged code. It means that it is no longer safe for David to remain in the area. In essence, the "arrows" represent Saul's hatred and intent to harm David. They are metaphorically "beyond" David, meaning David needs to flee to escape them.

"Then go your way; for Yahweh has sent you away": This part confirms the meaning of the signal. If Jonathan says this, it is a sign that Saul's anger is implacable, and David must leave. The phrase "Yahweh has sent you away" emphasizes that this isn't just a personal decision, but a divinely ordained instruction. David is meant to flee, presumably for his own safety and perhaps also in accordance with God's larger plan for him.

In short, the verse means:

If Jonathan tells the boy that the arrows are "beyond" him (i.e., further than the boy can reach), it's a signal to David that he is in great danger and must flee the area. This is understood as a message from God (Yahweh) that David must leave to protect himself from Saul's wrath.