1 Samuel 20:20
◄  1 Samuel 20:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.

New Living Translation (©2007)
I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I'm aiming at a target.

International Standard Version (©2012)
I'll shoot three arrows to the side of the rock as though I were shooting at a target.

NET Bible (©2006)
I will shoot three arrows near it, as though I were shooting at a target.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
I will shoot three arrows from beside it toward a target.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And I will shoot three arrows on the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

American King James Version
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

American Standard Version
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will shoot three arrows near it, and will shoot as if I were exercising myself at a mark.

Darby Bible Translation
And I will shoot three arrows on the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

English Revised Version
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will shoot three arrows on the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

World English Bible
I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark.

Young's Literal Translation
'And I shoot three of the arrows at the side, sending out for myself at a mark;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 20-23. - The two friends now agree upon the sign. Jonathan was to shoot three arrows at this stone, Ezel, as his mark, and was then to send his servant to gather them up. When he bad gone some distance Jonathan was to shout to him, loud enough for David to hear. If Jonathan said that the arrows were on that side the mark, i.e. between it and Jonathan, David was to come forth boldly, as all was well. But if Jonathan said that the arrows were further on, then David must understand that he was to seek safety in flight. For there is peace to thee, and no hurt, the Hebrew has "there is peace to thee, and it is nothing," a simpler and more idiomatic rendering. As touching the matter, etc. Rather, "As for the word that we have spoken, I and thou, behold, Jehovah is between me and thee forever." The word was the bond and covenant by which they had pledged their truth to one another. Though separated, their love was to continue, and Jehovah was to be their eternal centre of union, and the witness to their covenant.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof,.... On the side of the stone Ezel; three are pitched upon, according to the number of the days David was missing:

as though I shot at a mark; as if he made the stone the mark he shot at; so that his shooting would not be taken notice of.

1 Samuel 20:20 Parallel Commentaries

1 Samuel 20:20 NIV
1 Samuel 20:20 NLT
1 Samuel 20:20 ESV
1 Samuel 20:20 NASB
1 Samuel 20:20 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Jonathan and David Renew Covenant
…19And when you have stayed three days, then you shall go down quickly, and come to the place where you did hide yourself when the business was in hand, and shall remain by the stone Ezel. 20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, take them; then come you: for there is peace to you, and no hurt; as the LORD lives. …

1 Samuel 20:19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.
1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger.
1 Samuel 20:36 and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.