9. "I would never do that!" Jonathan said. "Suppose I had even the smallest clue that my father had made up his mind to harm you. Then I would tell you."
10. David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you in a mean way?"
11. "Come on," Jonathan said. "Let's go out to the field." So they went there together.
12. Then Jonathan spoke to David. He said, "I promise you that I'll find out what my father is planning to do. I'll find out by this time the day after tomorrow. The Lord, the God of Israel, is my witness. Suppose my father feels kind toward you. Then I'll send you a message and let you know.
13. But suppose he wants to harm you. And I don't let you know about it. I don't help you get away safely. Then may the Lord punish me greatly. May he be with you, just as he has been with my father.
14. "But always be kind to me, just as the Lord is. Be kind to me as long as I live. Then I won't be killed.
15. And never stop being kind to my family. Don't stop even when the Lord has cut off every one of your enemies from the face of the earth."
16. So Jonathan made a covenant with David and his family. He said, "May the Lord make David's enemies accountable for what they've done."
17. Jonathan had David take an oath again because he loved him. In fact, Jonathan loved David just as he loved himself.
18. Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon Feast. You will be missed, because your seat at the table will be empty.
19. Go to the place where you hid when all of this trouble began. Go there the day after tomorrow, when evening is approaching. There's a stone out there called Ezel.
20. Wait by it. "I'll shoot three arrows to one side of the stone. I'll pretend I'm practicing my shooting.
21. Then I'll send a boy out there. I'll tell him, 'Go and find the arrows.' Suppose I say to him, 'The arrows are on this side of you. Bring them here.' Then come. That will mean you are safe. You won't be in any danger. And that's just as sure as the Lord is alive.
22. But suppose I tell the boy, 'The arrows are far beyond you.' Then go. That will mean the Lord is sending you away.
23. "And remember what we talked about. Remember that the Lord is a witness between you and me forever."