1 Samuel 20:31–42

31 “For 1as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for ahe 2must surely die.”

32 But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “aWhy should he be put to death? What has he done?”

33 Then aSaul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; bso Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.

34 Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.

35 Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him.

36 He said to his lad, “aRun, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.” As the lad was running, he shot 1an arrow past him.

37 When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, “aIs not the arrow beyond you?”

38 And Jonathan called after the lad, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!” And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master.

39 But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

41 When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and abowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but bDavid wept the more.

42 Jonathan said to David, “aGo in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘bThe Lord will be between me and you, and between my 1descendants and your 1descendants forever.’ ” 2Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.