10. David said, “Who will warn me if your father says bad things to you?”
11. Then Jonathan said, “Come, let’s go out into the field.” So Jonathan and David went together into the field.
12. Jonathan said to David, “I make this promise before the Lord, the God of Israel. I promise that I will learn how my father feels about you. I will learn if he feels good about you or not. Then, in three days, I will send a message to you in the field.
13. If my father wants to hurt you, I will let you know. I will let you leave in safety. May the Lord punish me if I don’t do this. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.
14-15. As long as I live, show me the same kindness the Lord does. And if I die, never stop showing this kindness to my family. Be faithful to us, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the earth.”
16. So Jonathan made this agreement with David and his family, and he asked the Lord to hold them responsible for keeping it.
17. Jonathan loved David as himself, and because of this love, he asked David to repeat this agreement for himself.
18. Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon celebration. Your seat will be empty, so my father will see that you are gone.
19. On the third day go to the same place you hid when this trouble began. Wait by that hill.
20. On the third day I will go to that hill and shoot three arrows as if I am shooting at a target.
21. Then I will tell the boy to go find the arrows. If everything is fine, I will tell the boy, ‘You went too far! The arrows are closer to me. Come back and get them.’ If I say that, you can come out of hiding. I promise, as surely as the Lord lives, you are safe. There is no danger.
22. But if there is trouble, I will say to the boy, ‘The arrows are farther away. Go get them.’ If I say that, you must leave. The Lord is sending you away.