In a tense moment of uncertainty, two loyal friends devise a secret communication system where an innocent act of target practice becomes the vehicle for a life-or-death message. The division of their plan is clear: hiding in the field was David's initiative, while the brilliant strategy of using arrows to signal King Saul's intentions was conceived by Jonathan [אברבנאל].
The mechanism relies on the exact instructions the shooter gives to his servant, which serve as a predetermined code for the man hiding nearby. After shooting the arrows, Jonathan will announce that he is sending his servant to retrieve them [מצודת דוד]. The code for safety and peace depends on Jonathan declaring that the arrows have fallen short, landing closer to the shooter than to the boy retrieving them [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. To execute this, Jonathan will intentionally shoot the arrows so they drop before reaching the target stone [רלב״ג]. This deliberate miss will not arouse suspicion, as it is common for someone searching for arrows to misjudge the distance, either walking too far past them or not going far enough [רש״י].
The specific term used to address the servant during this peaceful signal deliberately conveys a lack of urgency, contrasting with the language planned for a scenario of danger. Because the arrows are close by, there is no need to rush the boy. This subtle detail signals a state of complete calm and security to David, letting him know that he has nothing to fear even if he reveals himself in the servant's presence [מלבי״ם].
Once this code of safety is spoken, David is instructed to take action and approach. The primary approach among commentators is that David may safely emerge from his hiding place, pick up the arrow himself, and walk over to Jonathan [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Other perspectives suggest that David should take the servant and approach together with him, or simply take the spoken signal itself as a clear directive to come out [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Jonathan refrains from calling out to David directly in order to maintain the absolute secrecy of the hiding spot [מצודת דוד].
The call concludes with an absolute assurance of peace, confirming that there is no hidden danger or threat of harm [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Jonathan seals this promise with a solemn oath in God's name, guaranteeing that he would never call his friend out of hiding unless he knew with absolute certainty that his father had no intention of killing him [רד״ק]. Furthermore, this oath expresses that God Himself desires David's presence at that moment, ensuring he is divinely protected and has nothing to fear [רש״י].
On a deeper, symbolic level, the use of a bow and arrow is not coincidental. Historically, the descendants of Rachel, such as King Saul, are associated with the sword, whereas the descendants of Judah, like David, are tied to the mastery of the bow. When the arrows fall close by as a peaceful signal, it represents the safe and secure transfer of greatness and the art of the bow into David's hands [אהבת יהונתן].