1 Samuel 20:21
And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
1 Samuel 20:21
This verse continues the coded plan. David explains that a lad will retrieve the arrows. If the signals are clear—“behold, the arrows are on this side of thee”—then David should come to Saul quietly for peace, with the Lord’s life preserved. It’s a delicate balance of trust and strategy. The lad serves as a proxy, keeping direct testimony away from the king while still providing crucial information. The phrase “as the LORD liveth” reiterates the solemn, sacred nature of their plan and commitment, distinguishing casual political maneuvering from a solemn vow to honor life and justice within God’s sovereignty.
The verse reinforces the sanctity of life and the seriousness of covenants under the Lord’s watch. The use of the lad as an intermediary shows how God can work through ordinary means to accomplish profound outcomes. It also frames conflict resolution within a moral, rather than purely political, register. God’s living presence undergirds every decision, reminding us that our strategies must align with divine justice and mercy.
This invites us to consider how we use intermediaries in tough conversations. In workplaces or families, it may be wise to involve a trusted mediator to avoid direct confrontation or to protect vulnerable parties. Also, it invites us to seek peaceful resolutions by testing the waters before escalation—if a signal indicates peace, pursue it; if not, seek safer paths. Finally, reflect on how you agency-wise handle sensitive information: are you sometimes silencing harmful talk by choosing the right intermediary?
Cross-References
- Proverbs 15:22 (plans fail without counsel)
- Esther 4:16 (risk and mediation)
- Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (careful speech)
- James 1:19 (quick to listen, slow to speak)