1 Samuel 20:22

Verse

But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for Jehovah hath sent thee away.

But if I say to the boy, See, the arrow has gone past you: then go on your way, for the Lord has sent you away.

But if I tell the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are way past you,’ then you'll have to leave, for the Lord wants you to go away.

King James (Authorized) Version

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

Translation for Translators

But if I tell him, ‘The arrows are farther away’, you will know that you must leave immediately, because Yahweh wants you to run away.

Unlocked Literal Bible

“But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away.

Noah Webster Bible

But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

World English Bible

But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away.

Young's Literal Translation

And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows [are] beyond thee, — go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away;

Context

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

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.²³And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”

Summary

In this verse, Jonathan instructs David on how to discern Saul's intentions towards him. Jonathan promises to find out his father's disposition towards David and inform him. This demonstrates Jonathan's loyalty and friendship towards David, willing to protect him from harm. It also reveals the tense and dangerous situation David was in, as he sought to escape Saul's wrath. Jonathan's actions here highlight the importance of trust and communication in relationships, especially during challenging times.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if I say thus unto the young man, behold, the arrows are beyond thee,.... Being shot to a greater distance than where the young man was: go thy way, for the Lord hath sent thee away; then he was to depart directly, without staying to have any conversation with Jonathan, which would not be safe for either of them, and so make the best of his way into the country, and escape for his life; for so it was ordered by the providence of God, that he must not stay, but be gone immediately: the signals were these, that if things were favourable, then he would shoot his arrows on one side of the lad, and David might come out and show himself at once; but if not, he would shoot them beyond him, by which he might know that he must flee for his life.