25. He sat where he always sat, near the wall. Jonathan sat across from him, and Abner sat next to him. But David’s place was empty.
26. That day Saul said nothing. He thought, “Maybe something has happened to David so that he is unclean.”
27. But the next day was the second day of the month. And David’s place was empty again. So Saul said to Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the festival yesterday or today?”
28. Jonathan answered, “David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.
29. He said, ‘Let me go, because our family has a sacrifice in the town. And my brother has ordered me to be there. Now if I am your friend, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”