1 Samuel 20:21 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Listen, I will send a young servant boy, telling him, 'Go find the arrows.' If I clearly say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, pick them up,' then you come out of hiding. This will mean you are safe and there's no danger for you—I swear this by the living LORD.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Jonathan is explaining to David the first part of their secret signal system—if the arrows are shot close by, it means David is safe from King Saul's anger.

📚 Historical Context

This conversation takes place between Prince Jonathan and David, who was fleeing from King Saul's murderous jealousy. Jonathan devised this arrow-shooting code to secretly communicate whether it was safe for David to return to court after Saul's mood was tested during the New Moon festival.

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