1 Samuel 20:39
1 Samuel 20:39 in Multiple Translations
But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
But the lad knew not anything: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
But the boy had no idea what was going on; only Jonathan and David had knowledge of it.
The boy didn't suspect anything—only Jonathan and David knew what it meant.
But the boy knewe nothing: onely Ionathan and Dauid knew the matter.
And the youth hath not known anything, only Jonathan and David knew the word.
But the boy didn’t know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
And he knew not at all what was doing: for only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
But the boy did not understand the meaning of what Jonathan had said; only Jonathan and David knew.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 20:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 20:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הַ/נַּ֖עַר
לֹֽא
יָדַ֣ע
מְא֑וּמָה
אַ֤ךְ
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙
וְ/דָוִ֔ד
יָדְע֖וּ
אֶת
הַ/דָּבָֽר
וְ/הַ/נַּ֖עַר
naʻar
H5288
youth
Conj | Art | N-ms
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָדַ֣ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מְא֑וּמָה
mᵉʼûwmâh
H3972
anything
N-fs
אַ֤ךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
Jonathan
N-proper
וְ/דָוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Conj | N-proper
יָדְע֖וּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/דָּבָֽר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 20:39
וְ/הַ/נַּ֖עַר
naʻar
H5288
"youth"
Conj | Art | N-ms
In the original Hebrew, this word means a young person, either a boy or a girl, from infancy to adolescence. It is used to describe the servants and attendants who worked for kings and other important people in the Old Testament, like King David's servants.
Definition: 1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth 1b) servant, retainer
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). See also: Genesis 14:24; 1 Samuel 25:5; Psalms 37:25.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָדַ֣ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מְא֑וּמָה
mᵉʼûwmâh
H3972
"anything"
N-fs
This word refers to something, no matter how small, or nothing at all. It's used in phrases like 'anything' or 'nothing'. The Bible uses it in various books to convey the idea of something or nothing.
Definition: anything
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: fault, [phrase] no(-ught), ought, somewhat, any (no-)thing. See also: Genesis 22:12; 1 Samuel 25:15; Jeremiah 39:10.
אַ֤ךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
"Jonathan"
N-proper
Jehonathan was a son of King Saul and a friend of David, meaning 'Jehovah has given'. He was also known as Jonathan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.3; son of: Shimeah (H8093); also called Jonathan at 2Sa.21.21; 1x27.32; Another name of yo.na.dav (יוֹנָדָב "Jonadab" H3122G) § Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given" 1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David 2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear 3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath 4) an uncle of David 5) one of David's mighty warriors 6) one of David's treasurers 7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah 8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall 9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan 10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem 11) another Judaite father of Peleth 12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra 13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra 14) a priest of the family of Melicu in the time of Nehemiah 15) son of Joiada and his successor to the high priesthood in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: Jonathan. Compare H3129 (יוֹנָתָן). See also: 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 23:18; Jeremiah 37:15.
וְ/דָוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Conj | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
יָדְע֖וּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/דָּבָֽר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 20:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
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.
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.” 41When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.1 Samuel 20:39 Summary
This verse, 1 Samuel 20:39, shows that Jonathan and David had a secret plan to communicate with each other, and only they knew what it meant. The boy who was used to send the message didn't understand the plan, but he still played an important role in helping Jonathan and David stay in touch. This reminds us that God can use anyone, even those who don't fully understand what's going on, to accomplish His purposes (as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27). By trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, just like David did in 1 Samuel 20:39, we can have faith that He will work everything out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Jonathan and David's secret arrangement in 1 Samuel 20:39?
The secret arrangement between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20:39 was a plan to communicate whether David should come to the king's table, indicating whether King Saul still intended to harm him, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:35-36. This plan was necessary for David's safety, as King Saul had previously tried to kill him in 1 Samuel 19:10.
Why did Jonathan use a boy to send a message to David in 1 Samuel 20:39?
Jonathan used a boy to send a message to David in 1 Samuel 20:39 because the boy was unaware of the secret arrangement, making it a secure way to communicate without arousing suspicion, as Jonathan and David knew the boy would simply follow instructions without understanding the underlying meaning, similar to the way God uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27.
How does 1 Samuel 20:39 relate to the theme of friendship in the Bible?
The verse highlights the strong bond of friendship between Jonathan and David, demonstrating their trust and loyalty to each other, as also seen in their covenant in 1 Samuel 18:3 and their emotional farewell in 1 Samuel 20:41-42, illustrating the kind of deep and abiding friendships that are a gift from God, as described in Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 27:17.
What can we learn from Jonathan's actions in 1 Samuel 20:39 about being a good friend?
Jonathan's actions in 1 Samuel 20:39 show that being a good friend involves being willing to take risks and make sacrifices for the other person, as Jonathan risked his own relationship with his father, King Saul, to protect and support David, demonstrating the kind of selfless love and loyalty that Jesus teaches in John 15:13 and that Paul describes in Philippians 2:3-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate loyalty and trust to my friends, just like Jonathan and David did in 1 Samuel 20:39?
- How can I use my relationships to support and encourage others, even if it means taking risks or facing challenges?
- What are some secret arrangements or plans that God has made for my life, and how can I trust in His sovereignty and provision, just like David trusted in God's plan for his life in 1 Samuel 20:39?
- In what ways can I be a good friend to those around me, and how can I cultivate deeper and more meaningful relationships in my life, like the one between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20:39?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:39
But the lad knew not anything,.... What was meant by shooting the arrows, and by shooting them beyond where he was, and by bidding him make haste to bring them: only Jonathan and David knew the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:39
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? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:39
1 Samuel 20:39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.Ver. 39. But the lad knew not anything.] What a sweet saying is that of our Saviour: "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:39
18–42. This section is the Haphtarah for the New Moon when it falls on the first day of the week.