1 Samuel 20:1-13 ▼

1 David fled from the pastures at Ramah, came to Jonathan, and asked, |What have I done? What crime am I guilty of? What sin have I committed against your father that he's trying to kill me?|

2 Jonathan answered, |That's unthinkable! You're not going to die! My father does nothing without telling me, whether it's important or not. Why should my father hide this from me? It's just not that way.|

3 But David took an oath, saying, |Your father certainly knows that you support me, so he said [to himself], 'Jonathan must not know about this. It will bring him distress.' But I solemnly swear, as the LORD and you live, I'm only one step away from death.|

4 Jonathan said to David, |I'll do whatever you say.|

5 David replied, |Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival, when I should sit and eat at the king's [table]. But let me go and hide in the countryside for two more nights.

6 If your father really misses me, tell him, 'David repeatedly begged me to let him run to Bethlehem, his hometown, because his relatives are offering the annual sacrifice there.'

7 If he says, 'Good!' then I will be safe. But if he gets really angry, then you'll know for sure that he has decided to harm me.

8 Now, be kind to me. After all, you forced me into an agreement with the LORD. If I have committed any crime, kill me yourself. Why bother taking me to your father?|

9 Jonathan answered, |That's unthinkable! If I knew for sure that my father had decided to harm you, I would have told you about it.|

10 Then David asked, |Who will tell me whether or not your father gives you a harsh answer?|

11 Jonathan said, |Let's go out into the country.| So they went out into the country.

12 |As the LORD God of Israel [is my witness],| Jonathan continued, |I'll find out in the next two or three days how my father feels about you. If he does feel kindly toward you, then I will send someone to tell you.

13 If my father plans to harm you and I fail to tell you and send you away safely, may the LORD harm me even more. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.