1 Samuel 20:39
New International Version
(The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.)

New Living Translation
He, of course, suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David understood the signal.

English Standard Version
But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Berean Standard Bible
But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

King James Bible
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

New King James Version
But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter.

New American Standard Bible
But the boy was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

NASB 1995
But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

NASB 1977
But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the young man did not know of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

Amplified Bible
But the boy was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

Christian Standard Bible
He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

American Standard Version
But the lad knew not anything: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Contemporary English Version
but he had no idea about what was going on. Only Jonathan and David knew.

English Revised Version
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The boy had no idea what was going on, but Jonathan and David understood.

Good News Translation
not knowing what it all meant; only Jonathan and David knew.

International Standard Version
The servant was not aware of anything. Only Jonathan and David understood what had happened.

Majority Standard Bible
But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

NET Bible
(Now the servant did not understand any of this. Only Jonathan and David knew what was going on.)

New Heart English Bible
But the boy did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

World English Bible
But the boy didn’t know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the youth has not known anything, only Jonathan and David knew the word.

Young's Literal Translation
And the youth hath not known anything, only Jonathan and David knew the word.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the boy knew not anything: but Jonathan and David knew the word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he knew not at all what was doing: for only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he did not understand at all what was happening. For only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

New American Bible
The boy suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David knew what was meant.

New Revised Standard Version
But the boy knew nothing; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the lad knew not anything; only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the boy did not know the matter, but Jonathan and David knew the matter
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the lad knew not any thing; only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the boy knew nothing, only Jonathan and David knew.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
38Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. 40Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”…

Cross References
Genesis 31:32
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Genesis 44:4-5
They had not gone far from the city when Joseph told his steward, “Pursue the men at once, and when you overtake them, ask, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? / Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”

Joshua 2:4-6
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from. / At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I do not know which way they went. Pursue them quickly, and you may catch them!” / (But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.)

Judges 14:12-14
“Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. / But if you cannot solve it, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” “Tell us your riddle,” they replied. “Let us hear it.” / So he said to them: “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.” For three days they were unable to explain the riddle.

2 Samuel 15:34-36
But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’ / Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. / Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.”

2 Kings 6:19
And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Proverbs 27:6
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”

Jeremiah 38:24-27
Then Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you will die. / If the officials hear that I have spoken with you, and they come and demand of you, ‘Tell us what you said to the king and what he said to you; do not hide it from us, or we will kill you,’ / then tell them, ‘I was presenting to the king my petition that he not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.’” ...

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:48-49
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Mark 14:44
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.”

Luke 22:48
But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 13:27-30
And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” / But no one at the table knew why Jesus had said this to him. / Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

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Aware Boy David Idea Jonathan Lad Matter Word Youth
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Aware Boy David Idea Jonathan Lad Matter Word Youth
1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














But the boy did not know anything
This phrase highlights the innocence and unawareness of the young servant involved in the narrative. In Hebrew, the word for "boy" is "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can refer to a young man or servant. This reflects the common practice in ancient Israel of using young servants for tasks, often without them being privy to the full context or significance of their actions. The boy's ignorance underscores the secretive nature of Jonathan and David's plan, emphasizing the need for discretion in their friendship and alliance. This also serves as a reminder of the innocence of youth and the importance of protecting them from the complexities and dangers of adult conflicts.

only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement
The exclusivity of knowledge between Jonathan and David is crucial in this narrative. The Hebrew word for "knew" is "יָדַע" (yada), which implies an intimate understanding or awareness. This reflects the deep bond and trust between Jonathan and David, as they alone are aware of the true nature of their covenant and the signals being exchanged. The "arrangement" refers to the prearranged signals involving the shooting of arrows, which were meant to communicate Saul's intentions towards David. This secretive communication highlights the perilous political environment and the need for wisdom and discernment. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it demonstrates the loyalty and faithfulness of Jonathan to David, even at the risk of his own standing with his father, King Saul. It is a testament to the strength of their covenant, which is rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to God's will. This phrase inspires believers to value and cultivate relationships that are grounded in trust, loyalty, and a shared purpose in serving God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the boy
וְהַנַּ֖עַר (wə·han·na·‘ar)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

did not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

anything;
מְא֑וּמָה (mə·’ū·māh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing

only
אַ֤ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

Jonathan
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙ (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

and David
וְדָוִ֔ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

knew
יָדְע֖וּ (yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

the arrangement.
הַדָּבָֽר׃ (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:39 But the boy didn't know anything: only (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:38
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