1 Samuel 20:40
New International Version
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, “Go, carry them back to town.”

New Living Translation
Then Jonathan gave his bow and arrows to the boy and told him to take them back to town.

English Standard Version
And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”

King James Bible
And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

New King James Version
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

NASB 1995
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

NASB 1977
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his young man and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

Amplified Bible
Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go, take them to the city.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the young man who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”

American Standard Version
And Jonathan gave his weapons unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

Contemporary English Version
Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and told him, "Take these back into town."

English Revised Version
And Jonathan gave his weapons unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He told the boy, "Take them back into town."

Good News Translation
Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and told him to take them back to town.

International Standard Version
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant who was with him and told him, "Go, take these things to the city."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, ?Go, take it back to the city.?

NET Bible
Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant who was with him. He said to him, "Go, take these things back to the city."

New Heart English Bible
Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to him, "Go, carry them to the city."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan gave his arms to his lad, and said to him, Go, carry them to the city.

World English Bible
Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jonathan gives his weapons to the youth whom he has and says to him, “Go, carry into the city.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan giveth his weapons unto the youth whom he hath, and saith to him, 'Go, carry into the city.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will give his utensils to the boy that is to him, and he will say to him, Go, bring into the city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jonathan therefore gave his arms to the boy, and said to him: Go, and carry them into the city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy, and he said to him, “Go, and carry them into the city.”

New American Bible
Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go, take them to the city.”

New Revised Standard Version
Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, Go, carry them to the city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said to him: “Go, bring them to the city”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jonathan gave his weapons unto his lad, and said unto him: 'Go, carry them to the city.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to his boy, Go, enter into the city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
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.” 41When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:3-4
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. / And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

1 Samuel 19:2
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

2 Kings 4:29
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

2 Kings 9:1-3
Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”

Genesis 31:49-50
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other. / If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, although no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. / You are My friends if you do what I command you. / No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

Acts 20:37-38
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. / They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jonathan gave his artillery to his lad, and said to him, Go, carry them to the city.

his lad [heb] the lad that was his

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Arms Arrows Bow Boy Carry City Jonathan Lad Weapons Youth
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Arms Arrows Bow Boy Carry City Jonathan Lad Weapons 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














Then Jonathan
The name "Jonathan" means "Yahweh has given" in Hebrew, reflecting his role as a divinely appointed friend and ally to David. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a figure of loyalty and righteousness, embodying the virtues of friendship and covenant faithfulness. His actions throughout 1 Samuel demonstrate a commitment to God's will, even when it conflicts with his own familial ties.

gave his weapons
The act of giving his weapons is symbolic of Jonathan's trust and vulnerability. In ancient Israel, weapons were not only tools of war but also symbols of power and protection. By handing them over, Jonathan is showing his willingness to disarm himself for the sake of his covenant with David. This gesture underscores the depth of his loyalty and the seriousness of his commitment to David's safety and future.

to the boy
The "boy" here is likely a servant or a young attendant, a common practice in ancient times where young boys were often employed to assist warriors or noblemen. This detail highlights the hierarchical social structures of the time, where even in moments of personal significance, societal roles and duties were maintained.

and said, 'Go, carry them back to the city.'
Jonathan's instruction to "Go, carry them back to the city" is practical, yet it also signifies a transition. The city, likely Gibeah, represents a place of safety and normalcy, contrasting with the wilderness where David must flee. This command marks the end of a poignant encounter between Jonathan and David, emphasizing the necessity of returning to their respective roles and responsibilities despite the emotional weight of their parting.

(40) His artillery.--Literally, his implements. The word "artillery," expressive though it be, would scarcely now be used in this sense; we should now translate the Hebrew word by "arms."

Verses 40-42. - His artillery. I.e. his weapons. To get rid of the boy Jonathan sends him home with his bow and arrows, and then David arose out of a place toward the south, or "from the south side" of the stone Ezel, and while not forgetting in his repeated obeisance the honour due to Jonathan's dignity, yet friendship prevailed, and they kissed one another and wept sore, until David exceeded, i.e. broke down, and was completely mastered by his grief. And so they parted, David to begin a life of danger and wandering, while Jonathan returned to the city to be a dutiful son to Saul. Phillipson remarks, "The scenes in this chapter are some of the most affecting presented to us in history, whether in old or modern times, and we may Well wonder at the delicacy of feeling and the gentleness of the sentiments which these two men in those old rough times entertained for one another. No ancient writer has set before us so noble an example of a heart felt, unselfish, and thoroughly human state of feeling, and none has described friendship with such entire truth in all its relations, and with such complete and profound knowledge of the human heart."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then 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

gave
וַיִּתֵּ֤ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

his equipment
כֵּלָ֔יו (kê·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the boy
הַנַּ֖עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go,
לֵ֖ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

take it back
הָבֵ֥יא (hā·ḇê)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the city.”
הָעִֽיר׃ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:40 Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:39
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