Translations
Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And there I will send a boy: ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are here on this side and away from you, take them and come,’ then there is safety for you and there will be no matter, as YHWH lives.
Latin
Mittam quoque et puerum, dicens ei: Vade, et affer mihi sagittas.
Original
Hebrew
English
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.
Notes
Jonathan's plan would allow David to get the message even if there could be no face-to-face meeting. The boy's presence reduced suspicion and gave Jonathan an excuse to go to the field. As it happened, only the boy went with Jonathan to the field. When the boy left, David could talk to Jonathan directly (1 Samuel 20:40–42).
Theme notes and profiles
David Jeroboam I Jonathan Saul David's Response to Unfriendly Leaders
Events
Glossary
Topics
Arrow: Shot by Jonathan As a Sign to David Arrows: Discharged: At a Mark for Amusement Symbols and Similitudes: Bow-Shot by Jonathan