1 Samuel 20, Jonathan Shoots Arrows

[Ramalama]

This is my first bible question (I think) so please be patient if I violate some conventions.

My bible study teacher continually points out there is nothing in the bible that doesn’t have meaning. We were reading 1 Samuel 20, the part where Jonathan shoots arrows in the field and sends a boy to retrieve them, when I ask what the arrows and the boy were supposed to represent. She said, “Oh, they’re just part of the story.”

Hmm . . . Does anyone here know what’s really going on in here? After Jonathan shoots the arrows and they’re retrieved by the boy, he sends the boy away. David immediately comes out of hiding. The arrows must mean something. Why didn’t David come out as soon as Jonathan arrived?

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this novice’s mystery.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It might be that Jonathan needed an excuse to send the boy away. Given his father’s attitude toward David, it would have been unwise for him to be seen with David.

 

[Ramalama]

It might be that Jonathan needed an excuse to send the boy away. Given his father’s attitude toward David, it would have been unwise for him to be seen with David.

Well, that sounds right, but the minute the boy leaves, David comes out of the grass and they talk about the situation. I’m convinced there’s something hidden here.

 

[porthos11]

This is my first bible question (I think) so please be patient if I violate some conventions.

My bible study teacher continually points out there is nothing in the bible that doesn’t have meaning. We were reading 1 Samuel 20, the part where Jonathan shoots arrows in the field and sends a boy to retrieve them, when I ask what the arrows and the boy were supposed to represent. She said, “Oh, they’re just part of the story.”

Hmm . . . Does anyone here know what’s really going on in here? After Jonathan shoots the arrows and they’re retrieved by the boy, he sends the boy away. David immediately comes out of hiding. The arrows must mean something. Why didn’t David come out as soon as Jonathan arrived?

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this novice’s mystery.

The previous verses give the reasons. The hunting activity was a code Jonathan used to indicate to David whether or not it was safe to remain in Israel. Jonathan told the boy to “go farther” to retrieve the arrow. That was the indication to David that it was unsafe, and that David should leave.

That’s why as a result, David sought refuge among Israel’s enemies, the Philistines.

Your reference for the code is 1st Samuel 20:18-22.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Ramalama,

In verses 20 to 23, Jonathan and David on a way to communicate without actually meeting. But it seems that Jonathan is anxious to see David anyway, so he sends the boy away.

Is this what you want to know? Or are you looking for symbolism? Not everything in the Bible has a symbolic meaning, you know. However, preachers who like that sort of thing might make something of it. Takes imagination.

Verbum