26. Saul, however, said nothing that day, for he thought, “He must have become unclean by accident.”
27. On the next day, the second day of the month, David’s place was still vacant. So Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to table yesterday or today?”
28. Jonathan explained to Saul: “David pleaded with me to let him go to Bethlehem.
29. ‘Please let me go,’ he begged, ‘for we are having a clan sacrifice in our city, and my brothers insist on my presence. Now then, if you think well of me, give me leave to visit my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”
30. But Saul grew angry with Jonathan and said to him: “Son of a rebellious woman, do I not know that, to your own disgrace and to the disgrace of your mother’s nakedness, you are the companion of Jesse’s son?
31. For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, you cannot make good your claim to the kingship! Now send for him, and bring him to me, for he must die.”
32. But Jonathan argued with his father Saul: “Why should he die? What has he done?”
33. At this Saul brandished his spear to strike him, and thus Jonathan learned that his father was determined to kill David.
34. Jonathan sprang up from the table in a rage and ate nothing that second day of the month, because he was grieved on David’s account, and because his father had humiliated him.
35. The next morning Jonathan, accompanied by a young boy, went out into the field for his appointment with David.
36. There he said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows.” And as the boy ran, he shot an arrow past him.
37. When the boy made for the spot where Jonathan had shot the arrow, Jonathan called after him, “The arrow is farther on!”
38. Again he called to the boy, “Hurry, be quick, don’t delay!” Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and brought it to his master.
39. The boy suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David knew what was meant.