Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
1 Samuel 20:35-42
Jonathan Bids Farewell To David (1 Samuel 20:35).
Recognising that there was now no alternative open to them Jonathan made his way to his rendezvous with David at the time appointed, taking with him his bow and arrows, and a young lad as his servant, in order to give the impression that he was simply going out for some target practise. And there he bade farewell to David, with a reminder of the covenant that was between them. It was the last time they would meet face to face.
Analysis.
a And it came about that in the morning Jonathan went out into the countryside at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him (1 Samuel 20:35).
b And he said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I shoot.” And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” (1 Samuel 20:36).
c And Jonathan cried after the lad, “Make speed, hurry, do not stop.” And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master (1 Samuel 20:38).
d But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter (1 Samuel 20:39).
c And Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.” And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times, and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded (wept the more profusely) (1 Samuel 20:40).
b And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of YHWH, saying, “YHWH shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, for ever” (1 Samuel 20:42 a).
a And he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city (1 Samuel 20:42 b).
Note that in ‘a' Jonathan went into the countryside, and in the parallel he returned to the city. In ‘b' Jonathan indicates firmly by his arrows that David is to depart, and in the parallel he tells him to go in peace. In ‘c' the lad gathers up the arrows and comes to his master, and in the parallel he takes his weapons into the city. Centrally in ‘d' the lad knows nothing about the matter. Only Jonathan and David knew.
‘ And it came about that in the morning Jonathan went out into the countryside at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.'
At the time which Jonathan had appointed for his rendezvous with David he went out into the countryside. He took with him his bow and arrows, and a servant lad to gather up the arrows. He was seeking to give the impression that he was going out for target practise so that no one would suspect his real motive.
‘ And he said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I shoot.” And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.'
Once he had reached the spot near the rock Ezel (1 Samuel 20:19) he called on the servant lad to collect the arrows once he had fired them. And as the servant lad ran into position he shot an arrow beyond him. This was in order to indicate to David that he should flee for his life.
‘ And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” '
When the land reached the spot where the arrow had fallen Jonathan called out, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” He wanted to ensure that David had got the message.
‘ And Jonathan cried after the lad, “Make speed, hurry, do not stop.” And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.'
Then he called again to the lad, “Make speed, hurry, do not stop.” But really his words were for David. Meanwhile the unsuspecting lad gathered up the arrows, possibly feeling that his master was a bit out of sorts on this particular day.
‘ But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.'
The writer then emphasises that the lad knew nothing, and that only Jonathan and David knew, for what Jonathan was doing could have been interpreted as treason.
‘ And Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.” '
Satisfied that he had not been followed Jonathan then decided that he would say a proper ‘goodbye' to David, and giving his bow and arrows to the servant he told him to take them into the city.
‘ And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times, and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded (wept the more profusely).'
Then as soon as the lad had gone, David came out from his hiding place and expressed his love and respect for Jonathan by falling on his face to the ground and bowing three times. Strictly speaking he would have knelt down and bowed his head to the ground three times, a typical oriental greeting to a superior. It should be noted that David never took advantage of their friendship in such a way as to dishonour Jonathan. Then they kissed one another in a comradely way, and both wept. And David wept the most profusely. It was after all he who was leaving, never to return while Jonathan was alive..
‘And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of YHWH, saying, “YHWH shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, for ever.”
Then Jonathan said his farewell. ‘Go in peace' was a typical Israelite farewell. But poignancy was added to it by reminding David that there was peace between them because of the covenant that they had with each other, a peace made sure because they had sworn to each other in the name of YHWH. And he called to mind their compact of permanent friendship, not only between them, but between those who would follow them. David would fulfil his part in this when he slew the murderers of Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 4:6) and took Mephibosheth under his wing (2 Samuel 9:7).
‘And he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.'
Their farewells tearfully ended David arose and departed, from that time on an outlaw through no fault of his own, and Jonathan returned to the city. They would meet once more after this occasion, when Jonathan sought David out to assure him of his continued support (1 Samuel 23:15).