שמואל א, פרק כ׳, פסוק ל״ח

Jonathan urgently directs his young servant across the field to retrieve his fired arrows. Beneath this straightforward command lies a careful strategy to dismiss the boy quickly and secure a private moment with David. To ensure the servant leaves as fast as possible, Jonathan uses repetitive commands urging him to hurry [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The intentional use of multiple terms for speed strongly emphasizes the urgency of the moment [מצודת ציון]. Specifically, the instruction directs the boy to run straight ahead without pausing at the spot where the first arrow landed [מצודת דוד]. Once the retrieval is complete, the boy returns to his master so the weapons can be placed back into the quiver [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A subtle detail in the historical record reveals a shift in the friends' strategy. Although the original plan called for Jonathan to shoot three arrows as a signal [רד״ק], he actually fired only a single arrow at that moment. This gap between the initial plan and its execution exposes a sudden change of tactics in the field. The original signaling system was designed under the assumption that other people would be present. If the area were populated, speaking openly would be impossible without risking exposure to King Saul. However, when Jonathan arrived and saw that the field was completely empty, the complex sign was no longer necessary. He adapted immediately, shooting just one arrow and rushing the servant back to the city. This cleared the area entirely, allowing the two friends to safely meet and speak face-to-face in total secrecy [אלשיך].