1 Samuel 20:20-42

20I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.

21Now look, I will send a lad saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘See, the arrows are on this side of you—get them,’ then come; for it is safe for you and no danger, as Adonai lives.

22But if I say to the boy: ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Adonai has released you.

23But as for the matter which I and you have spoken about, behold, Adonai is between me and you forever.”

24So David hid himself in the field, and when the New Moon came, the king sat down to eat a meal.

25So the king sat on his seat—as usual, the seat by the wall—Jonathan stood up and Abner sat down by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.

26Nevertheless, Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, “It must be an accident; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he’s unclean.”

27Yet it came to pass on the day following the New Moon, the second day, that David’s place was still empty. So Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t Jesse’s son come to the meal yesterday or today?”

28Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem,

29as he said, ‘Please let me go, for we are going to have a family feast in the town, and my brother has commanded me. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me go, please, to see my brothers. That’s why he hasn’t come to the king’s table.”

30Then Saul’s rage blazed against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse—to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, neither you nor your kingship will be secure. Now, send word and bring him to me, for he is a son of death!”

32But Jonathan answered his father Saul, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

33Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.

34So Jonathan rose up from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food the second day of the new month, for he was grieved over David, because his father had dishonored him.

35It came to pass in the morning that Jonathan went out to the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad was with him.

36He said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows that I am about to shoot.” Now as the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him.

37When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried out after the lad and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?”

38Then Jonathan called out after the lad, “Quick, hurry! Don’t stand there!” So Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master.

39But the lad knew nothing; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

40Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, take them back to the town.”

41As soon as the lad was gone, David emerged from the south side and fell on his face to the ground and bowed down three times. Then they kissed each other and wept together, though David wept more.

42Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in the shalom that we both have sworn to each other in the Name of Adonai saying: ‘May Adonai be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’”