The archery reference in this passage may be obscure at first glance, and yet the background is very familiar to us. At this point we see Ahab, the king of Israel in cooperation with Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, both at war against the nation of Syria. Prior to this battle, the prophet of the Lord had warned King Ahab that if he went into battle, then he would be killed.

Heidelberg Catechism – Questions 99-100 (Lord’s Day 36)
Q. 99 What is required in the third commandment? A. That we must not by cursing, or by false swearing, nor yet by unnecessary oaths, profane or abuse




