1 Samuel 20:37

Verse

When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

Bible in Basic English

And when the boy came to the place where the arrow was, Jonathan, crying out after the boy, said, Has it not gone past you?

Free Bible Version

When the boy got to the place where Jonathan's arrow had landed, Jonathan shouted to him, “Isn't the arrow farther past you?

King James (Authorized) Version

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

Translation for Translators

When the boy ran to the place where the arrow hit the ground, Jonathan called out, “The arrow is further away!” [RHQ]

Unlocked Literal Bible

When the young man came to the place where the arrow that Jonathan shot had landed, Jonathan called after the young man, and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”

Noah Webster Bible

And when the lad had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

World English Bible

When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy, and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”

Young's Literal Translation

And the youth cometh unto the place of the arrow which Jonathan hath shot, and Jonathan calleth after the youth, and saith, 'Is not the arrow beyond thee?'

Context

Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan

³⁶He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” And as the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.³⁷When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”³⁸Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.

Summary

In this verse, Jonathan and David had devised a plan to communicate secretly. Jonathan's boy retrieved the arrows David had shot as a signal, while David waited in hiding. This covert communication was necessary due to King Saul's hostility towards David. It showcases the loyalty and friendship between Jonathan and David, as well as their strategic thinking in navigating a dangerous situation. The arrows served as a clever code between the two friends, highlighting their trust and reliance on each other during challenging times.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot,.... To the mark which he told him he should shoot at, and whereabout he might expect to find the arrow: Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, is not the arrow beyond thee? he cried with a loud voice and said this, not so much that the lad might hear him, but that David, who lay hid near the place, might hear him; so that if they had no opportunity of seeing and conversing with each other through any person going by at that time, David might know by this sign that evil was determined against him, and must flee for his life; the Syriac and Vulgate Latin versions read, "behold, the arrow is beyond thee"; so Noldius (k). (k) Concord. Ebr. Part. p. 265. No. 1141.

1 Samuel 20:37

Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

Bible in Basic English

And when the boy came to the place where the arrow was, Jonathan, crying out after the boy, said, Has it not gone past you?

Free Bible Version

When the boy got to the place where Jonathan's arrow had landed, Jonathan shouted to him, “Isn't the arrow farther past you?

King James (Authorized) Version

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

Translation for Translators

When the boy ran to the place where the arrow hit the ground, Jonathan called out, “The arrow is further away!” [RHQ]

Unlocked Literal Bible

When the young man came to the place where the arrow that Jonathan shot had landed, Jonathan called after the young man, and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”

Noah Webster Bible

And when the lad had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

World English Bible

When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy, and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”

Young's Literal Translation

And the youth cometh unto the place of the arrow which Jonathan hath shot, and Jonathan calleth after the youth, and saith, 'Is not the arrow beyond thee?'