Common misinterpretations treat the verse in isolation as a simple command to retrieve hunting gear after target practice, missing its role as the final step in Jonathan's arrow-signal ruse to safely communicate danger to David and ensure his escape. Others anachronistically imagine 'artillery' as modern guns rather than ancient bows and arrows, or condemn it as promoting dishonesty, disregarding the context of covenant fidelity overriding blind obedience to a tyrannical father and protecting the anointed future king from unjust harm.
I Samuel 20:40
King James Version (1769)
40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
In this verse, Jonathan sends his young servant away with his weapons to the city, creating a private moment to bid farewell to David and renew their covenant of loyal friendship amid David's flight from Saul's murderous intent. It highlights Jonathan's unwavering devotion, strategic cunning to protect his friend without detection, and the profound selflessness of their bond, foreshadowing David's future kingship which Jonathan honors despite his own royal lineage.