1 Samuel 20:22

WEB

But if I say this to the boy, 'Behold, the arrows are beyond you;' then go your way; for the Lord has sent you away.

KJV

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

Commentary

But if I say thus unto the young man, behold, the arrows are beyond thee,.... Being shot to a greater distance than where the young man was: go thy wa y, for the Lord hath sent thee away; then he was to depart directly, without staying to have any conversation with Jonathan, which would not be safe for either of them, and so make the best of his way into the country, and escape for his life; for so it was ordered by the providence of God, that he must not stay, but be gone immediately: the signals were these, that if things were favourable, then he would shoot his arrows on one side of the lad, and David might come out and show himself at once; but if not, he would shoot them beyond him, by which he might know that he must flee for his life.