21
Then I will send a boy to find the arrows. If I say to him, 'The arrows are near you; bring them here,' you may come out of hiding. You are safe. As the Lord lives, there is no danger.
22
But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' you must go, because the Lord is sending you away.
23
Remember what we talked about. The Lord is a witness between you and me forever."
24
So David hid in the field. When the New Moon festival came, the king sat down to eat.
25
He sat where he always sat, near the wall. Jonathan sat across from him, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place was empty.
26
That day Saul said nothing. He thought, "Maybe something has happened to David so that he is unclean."
27
But the next day was the second day of the month, and David's place was still empty. So Saul said to Jonathan, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the feast yesterday or today?"
28
Jonathan answered, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.
29
He said, 'Let me go, because our family has a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has ordered me to be there. Now if I am your friend, please let me go to see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table."
30
Then Saul became very angry with Jonathan. He said, "You son of a wicked, worthless woman! I know you are on the side of David son of Jesse! You bring shame on yourself and on your mother who gave birth to you.
31
As long as Jesse's son lives, you will never be king or have a kingdom. Now send for David and bring him to me. He must die!"