1 samuel 20:38 - Jonathan cried after the boy, “Go fast! Hurry! Don’t delay!” Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:38

What does "1 samuel 20:38" mean?


This verse is part of a test Jonathan sets up to determine whether King Saul intends to kill David. Here's a breakdown of the meaning and context:

Background: Jonathan, Saul's son, is a loyal friend to David. He knows Saul is jealous and murderous toward David. Jonathan promised David he would try to discover Saul's true intentions.

The Test: Jonathan and David devised a plan. Jonathan would shoot arrows, and a young boy would retrieve them. How Jonathan instructed the boy would signal to David whether it was safe to return or if he should flee.

Verse Breakdown:

"Jonathan cried after the boy, ‘Go fast! Hurry! Don’t delay!’": This instruction from Jonathan is the key signal. According to their prearranged plan, if Jonathan instructed the boy to hurry, it meant Saul wanted to harm David, and David needed to flee immediately. The urgency and emphasis on speed were the code.

"Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.": The boy, unaware of the code, simply performs his task, bringing the arrows back to Jonathan. His actions are neutral; the meaning lies in Jonathan's words.

Significance: This verse is crucial because it confirms to David that his life is in danger. Jonathan's instruction "Go fast! Hurry! Don't delay!" tells David that Saul's intentions are malicious, and he must escape for his safety. It shows Jonathan's loyalty to David, as he risks betraying his father to protect his friend.

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