1 Samuel 20:5-11

New International Version

⁵ So David said, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon feast,^(A) and I am supposed to dine with the king; but let me go and hide^(B) in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow. ⁶ If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David earnestly asked my permission^(C) to hurry to Bethlehem,^(D) his hometown, because an annual^(E) sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.’ ⁷ If he says, ‘Very well,’ then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper,^(F) you can be sure that he is determined^(G) to harm me. ⁸ As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant^(H) with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill^(I) me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

⁹ “Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”

¹⁰ David asked, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

¹¹ “Come,” Jonathan said, “let’s go out into the field.” So they went there together.