4. Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do it for you.”
5. David said to Jonathan, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go that I may hide myself in the field until the evening of the third day.
6. If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David asked for leave from me that he might run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
7. If he says, ‘Good,’ it will be well for your servant. But if he gets angry, know that evil is determined by him.
8. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is any guilt in me, kill me yourself. For why should you bring me to your father?”
9. Then Jonathan said, “Far be it from you. For if I indeed knew that my father had determined evil against you, would I not tell it you?”
10. David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me? Or what if your father answers you roughly?”
11. So Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” And the two of them went out to the field.
12. Then Jonathan said to David, “The Lord God of Israel is witness. When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or by the third day, and if he is favorable toward David, then will I not send and reveal it to you?
13. May the Lord do so to Jonathan and much more. If it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will reveal it you and send you away that you may go in peace. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father.
14. And if I live, not only will you show me the kindness of the Lord, that I shall not die,
15. but you will not cut off your faithfulness from my house forever, even when the Lord has cut off each one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
16. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David saying, “May the Lord require it at the hand of the enemies of David.”
17. Jonathan made David swear again, because he loved him. For he loved him as he loved his own soul.
18. Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.