6. Your father may notice I am gone. If he does, tell him, ‘David begged me to let him go to his hometown of Bethlehem. Every year at this time, his family group offers a sacrifice.’
7. If your father says, ‘Fine,’ I am safe. But if he becomes angry, you can believe he wants to hurt me.
8. Jonathan, be kind to me, your servant. You have made an agreement with me before the Lord. If I am guilty, you may kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”
9. Jonathan answered, “No, never! If I learn that my father plans to harm you, I will warn you!”
10. David asked, “Who will let me know if your father answers you unkindly?”
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 promise this before the Lord, the God of Israel: At this same time day after tomorrow, I will find out how my father feels. If he feels good toward you, I’ll send word to you. I’ll let you know.
13. But my father may mean to hurt you. If so, I will let you know and send you away safely. May the Lord punish me terribly if I don’t do this. And may the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.
14. But show me the kindness of the Lord as long as I live. Do this so that I may not die.
15. You must not stop showing your kindness to my family. Don’t do this, even when the Lord has destroyed all your enemies from the earth.”