Jonathan said to David, Yahweh, the God of Israel, [be witness]: when I have sounded my father about this time tomorrow, [or] the third day, behold, if there be good toward David, shall I not then send to you, and disclose it to you?
      III. He settles the method of intelligence, and by what signs and tokens he would give him notice how his father stood affected towards him. David would be missed the first day, or at least the second day, of the new moon, and would be enquired after, 1 Samuel 20:18; 1 Samuel 20:18. On the third day, by which time he would have returned from Bethlehem, he must be at such a place (1 Samuel 20:19; 1 Samuel 20:19), and Jonathan would come towards that place with his bow and arrows to shoot for diversion (1 Samuel 20:20; 1 Samuel 20:20), would send his lad to fetch his arrows, and, if they were shot short of the lad, David must take it for a signal of safety, and not be afraid to show his head (1 Samuel 20:21; 1 Samuel 20:21); but, if he shot beyond the lad, it was a signal of danger, and he must shift for his safety, 1 Samuel 20:22; 1 Samuel 20:22. This expedient he fixed lest he should not have the opportunity, which yet it proved he had, of talking with David, and making the report by word of mouth.