This verse shows how trust in God’s faithfulness can create true safety, even under mortal peril.
“And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives.” (1 Samuel 20:21). In this verse, Jonathan establishes a covert signal to assure David of his welfare. The setting likely occurs in the vicinity of Gibeah, a Benjaminite city located a few miles north of what is now Jerusalem. Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who ruled Israel roughly from 1050 BC to 1010 BC), formulates these instructions so that David does not have to reveal himself openly if it is not safe. By telling the young servant to find arrows and then utter specific instructions, Jonathan provides David with a clandestine message. Their plan thematically resonates with the idea of trusting God’s covenant faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty (Psalm 25:14).
When Jonathan says, “If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come” (v.21), it shows his precise arrangement to protect David. Jonathan’s loyalty stands out even though David is rising as a prospective successor to Saul’s throne. In the broader narrative, Jonathan’s love and respect for David mirror the selfless friendship that places God’s will above personal ambition. Regarding the timeline, David is emerging as God’s anointed future king (1010-970 BC), while Saul is still reigning but increasingly hostile toward David (1 Samuel 19:1). Jonathan is a linchpin of fidelity in these turbulent times and demonstrates a deep trust in God above all else.
Finally, the phrase, “there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives” (v.21), underscores Jonathan’s faith that God remains in control despite human schemes. This level of assurance foreshadows the overarching biblical principle that love and faithfulness will triumph over fear (1 John 4:18). It also points forward to Jesus’s assurance that God cares for His children and orchestrates security for those who seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Amid potential danger and betrayal, Jonathan’s statement of “no harm” demonstrates that genuine faith in God’s promise can grant believers courage and hope, regardless of threats by powerful authorities.
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1 Samuel 20:21 meaning
“And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives.” (1 Samuel 20:21). In this verse, Jonathan establishes a covert signal to assure David of his welfare. The setting likely occurs in the vicinity of Gibeah, a Benjaminite city located a few miles north of what is now Jerusalem. Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who ruled Israel roughly from 1050 BC to 1010 BC), formulates these instructions so that David does not have to reveal himself openly if it is not safe. By telling the young servant to find arrows and then utter specific instructions, Jonathan provides David with a clandestine message. Their plan thematically resonates with the idea of trusting God’s covenant faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty (Psalm 25:14).
When Jonathan says, “If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come” (v.21), it shows his precise arrangement to protect David. Jonathan’s loyalty stands out even though David is rising as a prospective successor to Saul’s throne. In the broader narrative, Jonathan’s love and respect for David mirror the selfless friendship that places God’s will above personal ambition. Regarding the timeline, David is emerging as God’s anointed future king (1010-970 BC), while Saul is still reigning but increasingly hostile toward David (1 Samuel 19:1). Jonathan is a linchpin of fidelity in these turbulent times and demonstrates a deep trust in God above all else.
Finally, the phrase, “there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives” (v.21), underscores Jonathan’s faith that God remains in control despite human schemes. This level of assurance foreshadows the overarching biblical principle that love and faithfulness will triumph over fear (1 John 4:18). It also points forward to Jesus’s assurance that God cares for His children and orchestrates security for those who seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Amid potential danger and betrayal, Jonathan’s statement of “no harm” demonstrates that genuine faith in God’s promise can grant believers courage and hope, regardless of threats by powerful authorities.