1 Samuel 20:5-18

5And David said to Jonathan, Behold, to-morrow is new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening.

6If thy father should actually miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

7If he say thus, It is well, — thy servant shall have peace; but if he be very wroth, be sure that evil is determined by him.

8Deal kindly then with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee; but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

9And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee; for, if I knew with certainty that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, would I not tell it thee?

10Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

11And Jonathan said to David, Come and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

12And Jonathan said to David, Jehovah, 1God of Israel, when I sound my father about this time to-morrow, [or] the next day, and behold, there be good toward David, and I then send not to thee, and apprise thee of it,

13Jehovah do so and much more to Jonathan. Should it please my father [to do] thee evil, then I will apprise thee of it, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace; and Jehovah be with thee, as he has been with my father.

14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of Jehovah, that I die not,

15but thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever, no, not when Jehovah cuts off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth.

16And Jonathan made [a covenant] with the house of David, [saying,] Let Jehovah even require [it] at the hand of David's enemies!

17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, by the love he had for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18And Jonathan said to him, To-morrow is the new moon; and thou wilt be missed, for thy seat will be empty;