1 Samuel 20:21

Verse

Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.

American Standard Version (1901)

And, behold, I will send the lad, saying, Go, find the arrows. If I say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee; take them, and come; for there is peace to thee and no hurt, as Jehovah liveth.

Bible in Basic English

And I will send my boy to have a look for the arrow. And if I say to him, See, the arrow is on this side of you; take it up! then you may come; for there is peace for you and no evil, by the living Lord.

Free Bible Version

Then I'll send a boy and tell him, ‘Go and find the arrows!’ Now, if I say to him specifically, ‘Look, the arrows are this side of you; bring them over here,’ then I swear on the life of the Lord it's safe for you to come out—there's no danger.

King James (Authorized) Version

And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

Translation for Translators

Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back to me. If you hear me say to him, ‘They are closer to me’, then as surely as Yahweh lives, you will know that everything is fine, and that Saul will not kill you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then I will send my young man and say to him, 'Go find the arrows.' If I say to the young boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them,” then come; for there will be safety for you and not harm, as Yahweh lives.

Noah Webster Bible

And behold, I will send a lad, saying , Go, find the arrows. If I expressly say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

World English Bible

Behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ If I tell the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you. Take them;’ then come, for there is peace to you and no danger, as Yahweh lives.

Young's Literal Translation

and lo, I send the youth: Go, find the arrows. If I at all say to the youth, Lo, the arrows [are] on this side of thee — take them, — then come thou, for peace [is] for thee, and there is nothing; Jehovah liveth.

Context

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

²⁰I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if I were aiming at a target.²¹Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.²²But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away.

Summary

In this verse, Jonathan assures David of his loyalty and commitment to their friendship by swearing an oath in the name of the Lord. Jonathan expresses his desire to protect David from harm and keep him safe from the threats of King Saul. This declaration of loyalty highlights the deep bond between Jonathan and David, showcasing the importance of genuine friendship and sacrificial love. Jonathan's willingness to risk his own safety for David's sake exemplifies true friendship and loyalty, even in the face of adversity. This verse serves as a powerful example of selfless devotion and unwavering support in times of trouble.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And, behold, I will send a lad,.... That attended on him, and carried his bow and arrows, and fetched his arrows when he had shot them: saying, go, find out the arrows; where they are fallen, and return them: if I expressly say unto the lad, behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; on one side of him, whether the one or the other, which he would bid him take up, and bring them to him: then come thou; David, out of the place where he hid himself: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt, as the Lord liveth; he might appear, and not be afraid of being seen by any, since by this sign he might be assured that Saul was well affected to him, and would show him favour, and do him no injury; and that he might promise himself prosperity and safety, and be assured of it for the present.