1
Then Davidfled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sinbefore your father, that he is seeking my life?"
2
He said to him, "Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my fatherdoesnothing* either greatorsmallwithoutdisclosing it to me. So why should my fatherhidethisthing from me? It is not so!"
3
Yet Davidvowedagain, saying, "Your fatherknowswell that I have foundfavor in your sight, and he has said, 'Do not let Jonathanknowthis, or he will be grieved.' But truly as the LORDlives and as your soullives, there is hardly a stepbetween me and death."
5
So Davidsaid to Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the newmoon, and I ought to sitdown to eat with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the fielduntil the thirdevening.
6
"If your fathermisses me at all, then say, 'Davidearnestlyasked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearlysacrificethere for the wholefamily.'
8
"Therefore dealkindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But ifthere is iniquity in me, put me to deathyourself; for whythen should you bring me to your father?"
9
Jonathansaid, "Far be it from you! For if I should indeedlearn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?"
12
Then Jonathansaid to David, "The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this timetomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling towardDavid, shall I not thensend to you and make it known* to you?
13
"If it please my father to do you harm, may the LORDdoso to Jonathan and morealso, if I do not make it known* to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.
15
"You shall not cutoff your lovingkindness from my houseforever*, not even when the LORDcutsoffeveryone of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."
19
"When you have stayed for threedays, you shall godownquickly and come to the placewhere* you hid yourself on that eventfulday, and you shall remain by the stoneEzel.
20
"I will shootthreearrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.
yil -x;L;v.l h,rw{a h'Dic ~yiCix;h t,v{l.v yin]a;w ? h'r'J;m.l
21
"And behold, I will send the lad, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I specificallysay to the lad, 'Behold, the arrows are on thisside of you, get them,' then come; for there is safety for you and noharm, as the LORDlives.
27
It came about the nextday, the second day of the newmoon, that David'splace was empty; so Saulsaid to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, eitheryesterdayortoday?"
29
for he said, 'Pleaselet me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have foundfavor in your sight, please let me getaway that I may see my brothers.' For thisreason* he has not come to the king'stable."
30
Then Saul'sangerburned against Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother'snakedness?
31
"For as long* as the son of Jesselives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he mustsurelydie."
34
Then Jonathanarose from the table in fierceanger, and did not eatfood on the secondday of the newmoon, for he was grievedoverDavidbecause his father had dishonored him.
41
When the lad was gone, Davidrose from the southside and fell on his face to the ground, and bowedthreetimes. And they kissedeachother and wepttogether*, but David wept the more.
42
Jonathansaid to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to eachother in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendantsforever*.' " Then he rose and departed, while Jonathanwent into the city.