Since David was an enemy of Saul, Jonathan came up with a plan by which he could convey information without the need for a face to face meeting.1 He did not know if he might have been followed by one of Saul’s officers and thus inadvertently lead them to David. He did not know in advance if a face to face meeting would have been possible and so he planned for the worst case scenario.2 His plan involved shooting a number of arrows to make it seem as if he was busy with target practice.3
20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.