1 Samuel 20:38
1 Samuel 20:38 in Multiple Translations
Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
And Jonathan went on crying out after the boy, Be quick, do not keep waiting about, go quickly. And Jonathan's boy got the arrow and came back to his master.
Hurry up! Do it quickly! Don't wait!” The boy picked up the arrows and took them back to his master.
And Ionathan cryed after the boy, Make speede, haste and stand not still: and Ionathans boy gathered vp the arrowes, and came to his master,
and Jonathan calleth after the youth, 'Speed, haste, stand not;' and Jonathan's youth gathereth the arrows, and cometh unto his lord.
Jonathan cried after the boy, “Go fast! Hurry! Don’t delay!” Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
And Jonathan cried again after the boy, saying: Make haste speedily, stand not. And Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and brought them to his master:
Then he shouted to the boy, “Act quickly; do not wait! Do not stop!” The boy picked up the arrow and brought it back to Jonathan.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 20:38
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1 Samuel 20:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 20:38
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 20:38
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 20:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:38
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:38
Context — Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
38Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
39But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. 40Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 55:6–9 | I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. Selah I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.” O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:4–5 | Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. |
| 3 | Mark 13:14–16 | So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak. |
| 4 | Matthew 24:16–18 | then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak. |
| 5 | Luke 17:31–32 | On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind. Remember Lot’s wife! |
1 Samuel 20:38 Summary
This verse shows Jonathan telling a boy to hurry up and bring back an arrow as part of a secret signal to David that his life is in danger. Jonathan is being loyal to David and helping him escape from King Saul. We can learn from Jonathan's example by being faithful to our friends and family, just like we see in the story of Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth, chapters 1 and 2. By following Jonathan's lead, we can show love and support to those around us, as Jesus teaches in John 13:35, and trust that God is guiding us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Jonathan crying out to the boy to hurry in 1 Samuel 20:38?
Jonathan's urgency is due to the secret signal he and David had arranged, indicating that David should flee because his life is in danger, as seen in the context of 1 Samuel 20:36-40 and David's previous experiences with King Saul's attempts on his life, such as 1 Samuel 18:11 and 1 Samuel 19:10.
Why did Jonathan give the boy specific instructions in this verse?
Jonathan gave the boy instructions to hurry and return with the arrow as part of the prearranged signal with David, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 20:35-40, to inform David of the danger without arousing suspicion, similar to the way God often uses discreet means to communicate with His people, as seen in Genesis 1:1 where God speaks and creates the world.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of friendship and loyalty in the Bible?
The actions of Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:38 demonstrate his loyalty and commitment to David, reflecting the kind of selfless love and dedication encouraged in friendships throughout the Bible, such as in Proverbs 17:17 and John 15:13-15, where friends are called to love and lay down their lives for one another.
What can we learn from Jonathan's behavior in this situation?
Jonathan's behavior teaches us the importance of keeping promises and being faithful to our friends, as emphasized in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, where it is written that we should not delay in fulfilling our vows to God or our commitments to others, and in 1 Corinthians 10:31, where we are encouraged to do everything for the glory of God, including upholding our relationships with integrity and honesty.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show loyalty and support to my friends, just as Jonathan did for David?
- How can I discern when God is prompting me to take action or to wait, and what role does patience play in my decision-making process, as seen in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of urgency and prompt obedience, as demonstrated by Jonathan in this verse, to my own life and spiritual journey, considering verses like Matthew 4:19-20 and Acts 16:9-10?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of discretion and wise communication in my relationships, and how can I balance honesty with tact, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:38
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:38
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:38
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:38
Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Temptation to Run by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the feeling of wanting to run away from difficult situations and challenges in life. He uses the example of the psalmist David, who expressed |
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Under His Wings by Jenny Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher shares stories and illustrations to emphasize the importance of accepting God's invitation for protection and salvation. He describes a scene where a c |
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Discouragement by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of not being afraid and focusing on the problems and difficulties in life. He emphasizes that despite the challenges we face, w |
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Believing a Lie by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the feelings of discouragement that arise from unmet expectations and the lies of the enemy that suggest one's life has been ineffective. He draws paralle |
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Take Up Wings by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston, through the words of Hannah Whitall Smith, emphasizes the concept of finding rest and escape in God during times of trouble or distress. By waiting upon the L |
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Cast Your Burdens Upon God by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the transformative power of burdens in the life of a Christian, emphasizing that these burdens, when surrendered to God, can become wings that lift |
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David Confessing God as His Refuge by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of trusting in God as our refuge and hiding place. Just like David, who often confessed God as his refuge, we are encouraged to turn to God |







