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"As the LORD God of Israel [is my witness]," Jonathan continued, "I'll find out in the next two or three days how my father feels about you. If he does feel kindly toward you, then I will send someone to tell you.
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If my father plans to harm you and I fail to tell you and send you away safely, may the LORD harm me even more. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.
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But as long as I live, [promise me that you will] show me kindness because of the LORD. And even when I die,
15
never stop being kind to my family. The Lord will wipe each of David's enemies off the face of the earth.
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At that time, if Jonathan's name is cut off from David's family, then may the LORD punish David's house."
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Once again Jonathan swore an oath to David because of his love for David. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.
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"Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival," Jonathan told him, "and you will be missed when your seat is empty.
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The day after tomorrow you will be missed even more. So go to the place where you hid on that other occasion, and stay by the rock.
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I will shoot three arrows from beside it toward a target.
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Then I will send out a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' Now, if I tell the boy, 'Look, the arrows are next to you; get them,' then come [back with me]. You will be safe, and there will be no trouble. I swear it, as the LORD lives.
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But if I tell the boy, 'The arrows are next to you,' then go, because the LORD has sent you away.