The Meaning of 1 Samuel 20:20 Explained

1 Samuel 20:20

KJV: And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

YLT: 'And I shoot three of the arrows at the side, sending out for myself at a mark;

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

ASV: And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And I will shoot  three  arrows  on the side  [thereof], as though I shot  at a mark. 

What does 1 Samuel 20:20 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Samuel 20:17-29 - A Friend At Court
Jonathan most have been strongly tempted to ally himself with his friend, that they might face the world together; but he clung loyally to his father's fortunes, though he knew that he was courting failure and overthrow. At the same time he stood nobly forth at the banquet in defense of his friend. What a rebuke for some of us! The Prince of the kings of the earth is not ashamed to call us brethren, but alas, how often we shrink from acknowledging and confessing Him when in company which refuses to own His supremacy. We are silent when His honor is flouted, we flinch before the rising storm; if we do not take sides against Him, we at least do not speak up on His behalf. Such cowards are we in spite of our covenants!
Saul's jealousy broke out with volcanic vehemence. The king and father abused his son with vile epithets, such as are still employed by Orientals. He demanded David's instant execution, and ended by seeking to take Jonathan's life. Truly it may be said of him, as was afterward said of Judas-Satan had entered into him. Be watchful not to give the smallest foothold to the devil. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 20:20 mean?

And I three arrows to the side will shoot shot as though I at a target
וַאֲנִ֕י שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת הַחִצִּ֖ים צִדָּ֣ה אוֹרֶ֑ה לְשַֽׁלַּֽח־ לִ֖י לְמַטָּרָֽה

וַאֲנִ֕י  And  I 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת  three 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁלֹשׁ 
Sense: three, triad.
הַחִצִּ֖ים  arrows 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חֵצִי  
Sense: arrow.
צִדָּ֣ה  to  the  side 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: צַד 
Sense: side.
אוֹרֶ֑ה  will  shoot 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יׄורֶה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast, pour.
לְשַֽׁלַּֽח־  shot 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
לִ֖י  as  though  I 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
לְמַטָּרָֽה  at  a  target 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מַטָּרָה  
Sense: guard, ward, prison, mark, target.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Samuel 20:20?

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