This verse shows how Jonathan and David kept their important plan hidden, ensuring the innocent servant boy was shielded from danger.
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) In this verse of 1 Samuel 20:39, a young servant boy is directly involved in the unfolding drama between Jonathan and David, yet remains innocent of the true meaning of their signals. Jonathan, who lived in the 11th century BC and was the son of Israel’s first king, Saul, arranges an elaborate plan to warn David about possible danger. Though the verse does not mention a specific place by name, the overall setting is near Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, roughly three miles north of Jerusalem. This geographic region played a central role in Saul’s reign and in Jonathan’s movements. The boy’s lack of awareness underscores how critical and secretive this mission truly was.
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) also highlights the inner circle of trust between Jonathan and David. David, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel around 1025 BC and would later become king around 1010 BC, depends on Jonathan’s loyalty to keep him safe from Saul’s growing hostility. Jonathan’s covert signals, known only to David, show the depth of their covenant and how God’s providential care for His servants sometimes requires discreet actions. This discreetness foreshadows the sort of hidden or veiled understandings found in other parts of Scripture, pointing to the way God reveals truth selectively, as Jesus teaches about secrets of the kingdom in parables.
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) ultimately symbolizes God’s hand at work to protect His chosen king. Jonathan’s willingness to safeguard David, even at risk to his own standing with his father Saul, foreshadows the sacrificial love described in the New Testament. Their extraordinary bond resonates with the command to love one another, which Jesus later teaches in passages such as John 15:13, highlighting that true covenantal friendship seeks the welfare of the other person—even if that loyalty demands secrecy in moments of crisis.
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1 Samuel 20:39 meaning
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) In this verse of 1 Samuel 20:39, a young servant boy is directly involved in the unfolding drama between Jonathan and David, yet remains innocent of the true meaning of their signals. Jonathan, who lived in the 11th century BC and was the son of Israel’s first king, Saul, arranges an elaborate plan to warn David about possible danger. Though the verse does not mention a specific place by name, the overall setting is near Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, roughly three miles north of Jerusalem. This geographic region played a central role in Saul’s reign and in Jonathan’s movements. The boy’s lack of awareness underscores how critical and secretive this mission truly was.
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) also highlights the inner circle of trust between Jonathan and David. David, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel around 1025 BC and would later become king around 1010 BC, depends on Jonathan’s loyalty to keep him safe from Saul’s growing hostility. Jonathan’s covert signals, known only to David, show the depth of their covenant and how God’s providential care for His servants sometimes requires discreet actions. This discreetness foreshadows the sort of hidden or veiled understandings found in other parts of Scripture, pointing to the way God reveals truth selectively, as Jesus teaches about secrets of the kingdom in parables.
“But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.” (v.39) ultimately symbolizes God’s hand at work to protect His chosen king. Jonathan’s willingness to safeguard David, even at risk to his own standing with his father Saul, foreshadows the sacrificial love described in the New Testament. Their extraordinary bond resonates with the command to love one another, which Jesus later teaches in passages such as John 15:13, highlighting that true covenantal friendship seeks the welfare of the other person—even if that loyalty demands secrecy in moments of crisis.