23. And may the lord make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them.”
24. So David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon festival began, the king sat down to eat.
25. He sat at his usual place against the wall, with Jonathan sitting opposite him and Abner beside him. But David’s place was empty.
26. Saul didn’t say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, “Something must have made David ceremonially unclean.”
27. But when David’s place was empty again the next day, Saul asked Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse been here for the meal either yesterday or today?”
28. Jonathan replied, “David earnestly asked me if he could go to Bethlehem.
29. He said, ‘Please let me go, for we are having a family sacrifice. My brother demanded that I be there. So please let me get away to see my brothers.’ That’s why he isn’t here at the king’s table.”
30. Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!” he swore at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?
31. As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!”
32. “But why should he be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?”