1 Samuel 20

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

Terrified, David escaped from Naioth in Ramah, rushing to Jonathan. Breathless, he asked, "What wrong have I done? What sin have I committed against your father that he wants me dead?"

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

He reassured him, "No, God wouldn't allow it; you won't die. Trust me, my father wouldn't make any move, big or small, without letting me know. Why would he keep this from me? It's just not true."

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

David promised sincerely, "Your father knows that you favor me. He doesn't want Jonathan to know, fearing it would upset him. But I swear by God and by your life, I'm just a breath away from death."

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Jonathan told David sincerely, "David, whatever your heart yearns for, I'll make it happen for you."

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the 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 unto the third day at even.

David pleaded with Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I'm expected to dine with the king. But please, let me escape and hide in the fields until dusk on the third day."

If thy father at all 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.

If your father realizes I'm gone, tell him, "David sincerely requested to go to his hometown, Bethlehem. There's an annual family ritual he couldn't miss."

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

If he speaks kindly, I'm safe; but if he's angry, know he's planning something bad.

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

Please, treat me with kindness, for we share a sacred bond before God. But if I've done wrong, end my life yourself; don't make me face your father.

And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

Jonathan pleaded, "Believe me, if I knew my father planned harm against you, wouldn't I warn you?"

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

David asked Jonathan, "Who will inform me? And how will I know if your father responds harshly?"

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

Jonathan warmly invited David, "Let's escape to the open field, just you and me." Together, they ventured into the vast expanse of the field.

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

Jonathan told David, "May the Lord God of Israel be my witness. I will try to find out my father's intentions by tomorrow or the next day. If he feels kindly towards you, and I don't immediately let you know, may God deal with me severely."

The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

May the LORD punish me, Jonathan, and more besides, if I fail you. If my father intends harm towards you, I'll warn you and ensure your safe departure. May you journey in peace and may the LORD be with you, as He was with my father.

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

While I'm still alive, show me God's love so I may not perish.

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

Never stop showing your love to my family, even when God has defeated all of David's foes.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

Jonathan, deeply committed to David's family, made a solemn promise. He prayed, "May God demand justice from David's foes."

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Jonathan made David promise once more, his love for him was deep, as if loving his own self.

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Jonathan turned to David, his voice heavy with emotion, "Tomorrow is the new moon, David. Your absence will be noticed, for your seat will be empty."

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

After waiting for three days, hurry down to the spot where you hid during the crisis, and stay near the Ezel stone.

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

With all my heart, I'll launch three arrows, aiming as if for a target.

And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

Listen, I'll send a boy to fetch the arrows. If I tell him, "Look, the arrows are near you, grab them," then come back safely. There's no danger for you. I swear this by God's life.

But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

If I tell the young man, "Look, the arrows have flown past you; move on," it's because God has guided you to a new path.

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

Regarding the issue we've discussed, may God forever stand as a witness between you and me.

So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

David, filled with fear, took refuge in the open fields. As the new moon graced the sky, the king, oblivious, settled down for his meal.

And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.

The king, as usual, settled into his throne against the wall. Jonathan stood up, Abner took his spot next to Saul, but David's usual spot was noticeably vacant.

Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

That day, Saul remained silent, consumed by the thought that something had happened to him, making him impure. He was certain of his impurity.

And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

The next day, the second of the month, David's seat was noticeably empty. Saul turned to his son Jonathan, concern etched on his face, "Why hasn't Jesse's son joined us for meals, not yesterday, not even today?"

And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

Jonathan replied to Saul, "David passionately requested my permission to visit Bethlehem."

And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.

He pleaded, "Please, let me leave. My family has a ceremony in town and my brother insists I attend. If you care for me at all, allow me to go and join my kin." Hence, he didn't join the king's feast.

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?

Saul was furious with Jonathan, accusing him, "You're the son of a defiant, rebellious woman! Don't you realize that your loyalty to Jesse's son only brings shame to you and your mother?"

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

As long as Jesse's son walks this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will ever be secure. So, bring him to me now, for he must die.

And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

Jonathan, filled with confusion and concern, responded to his father Saul, "Why should he die? What wrong has he committed?"

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Saul hurled a spear at him, intending to kill. At that moment, Jonathan realized his father's deadly intent towards David.

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

Jonathan stormed away from the table, his heart boiling with rage. He didn't touch his food that day, the second of the month, his appetite lost. He was heartbroken for David, because his father had treated David so shamefully.

And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

As dawn broke, Jonathan, accompanied by a young boy, faithfully ventured into the field for his scheduled meeting with David.

And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

He instructed his young servant, "Hurry, locate the arrows I've fired." As the boy dashed off, he launched an arrow far past him.

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

When the boy reached where Jonathan's arrow had landed, Jonathan called out to him, "Isn't the arrow past you, further on?"

And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

Tears streaming down his face, Jonathan urgently shouted at the boy, "Hurry, don't delay!" Swiftly, the boy collected the arrows and rushed back to his master, Jonathan.

But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

The young boy was oblivious, only Jonathan and David were privy to the secret.

And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

Jonathan handed his weapons to his young aide, instructing him with a firm voice, "Take these back to the city."

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

As soon as the boy left, David emerged from his southern hiding spot. Overwhelmed, he fell to his knees, bowing in deep reverence three times. They embraced, their tears mingling in shared sorrow, until David's grief surpassed them all.

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Jonathan, with a heavy heart, told David, "Leave in peace. We've made a sacred promise to each other in God's name. May God forever be a bond between us and our descendants." With that, David left and Jonathan returned to the city.