20:5 David said to Jonathan, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and I am certainly expected to join the king for a meal. 2 You must send me away so I can hide in the field until the third evening from now. 20:6 If your father happens to miss me, you should say, ‘David urgently requested me to let him go 3 to his city Bethlehem, 4 for there is an annual sacrifice there for his entire family.’ 20:7 If he should then say, ‘That’s fine,’ 5 then your servant is safe. But if he becomes very angry, be assured that he has decided to harm me. 6 20:8 You must be loyal 7 to your servant, for you have made a covenant with your servant in the Lord’s name. 8 If I am guilty, 9 you yourself kill me! Why bother taking me to your father?”
20:9 Jonathan said, “Far be it from you to suggest this! If I were at all aware that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?” 20:10 David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 20:11 Jonathan said to David, “Come on. Let’s go out to the field.”
When the two of them had gone out into the field, 20:12 Jonathan said to David, “The Lord God of Israel is my witness. 10 I will feel out my father about this time the day after tomorrow. If he is favorably inclined toward David, will I not then send word to you and let you know? 11 20:13 But if my father intends to do you harm, may the Lord do all this and more to Jonathan, if I don’t let you know 12 and send word to you so you can go safely on your way. 13 May the Lord be with you, as he was with my father.