16
At that time, if Jonathan's name is cut off from David's family, then may the LORD punish David's house."
17
Once again Jonathan swore an oath to David because of his love for David. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.
18
"Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival," Jonathan told him, "and you will be missed when your seat is empty.
19
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.
20
I will shoot three arrows from beside it toward a target.
21
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.
22
But if I tell the boy, 'The arrows are next to you,' then go, because the LORD has sent you away.
23
We have made a promise to each other, and the LORD is [a witness] between you and me forever."
24
So David hid in the countryside. When the New Moon Festival came, King Saul sat down to eat the festival meal.
25
He sat in his usual seat by the wall, while Jonathan stood. Abner sat beside Saul, but David's place was empty.
26
Saul didn't say anything that day, thinking, "Something has happened to him so that he's unclean. He must be unclean."