25
The king sat upon his seat, as at other times, upon the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood, while Abner sat by Saul's side; but David's place was empty.
26
Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, "Something has befallen him; he is not clean, surely he is not clean."
27
But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast, either yesterday or today?"
28
Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem;
29
he said, "Let me go; for our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, let me get away, and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table."
30
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?
31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die."
32
Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"
33
But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him; so Jonathan knew that it was the decision of his father to put David to death.
34
Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him.
35
In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him was a little boy.