1 Samuel 20:19-39
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 20
19When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain beside the stone Ezel. 20And I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target. 21Then behold, I will send the boy, telling him, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come, because it is safe for you and there is nothing to harm you, as the Lord lives. 22But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, because the Lord has sent you away. 23As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever.'
24So David hid himself in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
25Now the king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan stood up and Abner sat down by Saul’s side; but David’s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, because he thought, 'It must have been an accident; he is not clean, undoubtedly he is not clean.'
27But it came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David’s place was empty again; so Saul said to his son Jonathan, 'Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?'
28And Jonathan answered Saul, 'David earnestly requested leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
29He said, ‘Please let me go, because our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has ordered me to attend. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me slip away so that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.'
30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, 'You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
31For, as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now then, send men and bring him to me, for he is doomed to die!'
32But Jonathan replied to his father Saul and said to him, 'Why must he be put to death? What has he done?'
33Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike and kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.
34Then Jonathan got up from the table in the heat of anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, because he was worried about David since his father had insulted him.
35Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out to the field at the time agreed upon with David, and a little boy was with him.
36He said to his boy, 'Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.' The boy ran, and he shot an arrow past him.
37When the boy reached the location of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, 'Is the arrow not beyond you?'
38Then Jonathan called after the boy, 'Hurry, be quick, do not stay!' And Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and came to his master.
39But the boy was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.
King James Version
Chapter 20
19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. 20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth. 22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. 23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
30Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
35And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
36And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
38And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
39But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 20
19The following day hurry down and go to the place where you hid on the day this incident began and stay beside the rock Ezel. 20I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I'm aiming at a target. 21Then I will send a servant and say, 'Go and find the arrows! ' Now, if I expressly say to the servant, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you--get them,' then come, because as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem. 22But if I say this to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you! ' then go, for the Lord is sending you away. 23As for the matter you and I have spoken about, the Lord will be a witness between you and me forever."
24So David hid in the countryside.At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal.
25He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David's place was empty.
26Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, "Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean--yes, that's it, he is unclean."
28Jonathan answered, "David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem.
29He said, 'Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go so I can see my brothers.' That's why he didn't come to the king's table."
30Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you are siding with Jesse's son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother?
31Every day Jesse's son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me--he must die! "
33Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.
34He got up from the table fiercely angry and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father's shameful behavior toward David.
35In the morning Jonathan went out to the countryside for the appointed meeting with David. A young servant was with him.
36He said to the servant, "Run and find the arrows I'm shooting." As the servant ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.
37He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, "The arrow is beyond you, isn't it? "
38Then Jonathan called to him, "Hurry up and don't stop! " Jonathan's servant picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
39He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.
New Living Translation
Chapter 20
19The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid before, and wait there by the stone pile. 20I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target. 21Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back. If you hear me tell him, ‘They’re on this side,’ then you will know, as surely as the Lord lives, that all is well, and there is no trouble. 22But if I tell him, ‘Go farther — the arrows are still ahead of you,’ then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the Lord is sending you away. 23And may the Lord make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them.'
24So David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon festival began, the king sat down to eat.
25He sat at his usual place against the wall, with Jonathan sitting opposite him and Abner beside him. But David’s place was empty.
26Saul didn’t say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, 'Something must have made David ceremonially unclean.'
27But when David’s place was empty again the next day, Saul asked Jonathan, 'Why hasn’t the son of Jesse been here for the meal either yesterday or today?'
28Jonathan replied, 'David earnestly asked me if he could go to Bethlehem.
29He said, ‘Please let me go, for we are having a family sacrifice. My brother demanded that I be there. So please let me get away to see my brothers.’ That’s why he isn’t here at the king’s table.'
30Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. 'You stupid son of a whore!' he swore at him. 'Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?
31As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!'
32But why should he be put to death?' Jonathan asked his father. 'What has he done?'
33Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.
35The next morning, as agreed, Jonathan went out into the field and took a young boy with him to gather his arrows.
36Start running,' he told the boy, 'so you can find the arrows as I shoot them.' So the boy ran, and Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.
37When the boy had almost reached the arrow, Jonathan shouted, 'The arrow is still ahead of you.
38Hurry, hurry, don’t wait.' So the boy quickly gathered up the arrows and ran back to his master.
39He, of course, suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David understood the signal.
English Standard Version
Chapter 20
19On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. 20And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. 21And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 22But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”
24So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
25The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
26Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.”
27But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
28Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
29He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table ”
30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”
32Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
33But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
34And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.
35In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy.
36And he said to his boy, “Run and find the arrows that I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”
38And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master.
39But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
New International Version
Chapter 20
19The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel. 20I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. 21Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger. 22But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away. 23And about the matter you and I discussed--remember, the LORD is witness between you and me forever.'
24So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon feast came, the king sat down to eat.
25He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place was empty.
26Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, 'Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean--surely he is unclean.'
27But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, 'Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?'
28Jonathan answered, 'David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem.
29He said, 'Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table.'
30Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, 'You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?
31As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!'
32Why should he be put to death? What has he done?' Jonathan asked his father.
33But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
35In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him,
36and he said to the boy, 'Run and find the arrows I shoot.' As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, 'Isn't the arrow beyond you?'
38Then he shouted, 'Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!' The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
39(The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.)
New King James Version
Chapter 20
19And when you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid on the day of the deed; and remain by the stone Ezel. 20Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target; 21and there I will send a lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I expressly say to the lad, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them and come’—then, as the Lord lives, there is safety for you and no harm. 22But if I say thus to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you’—go your way, for the Lord has sent you away. 23And as for the matter which you and I have spoken of, indeed the Lord be between you and me forever.”
24Then David hid in the field. And when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat the feast.
25Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him; he is unclean, surely he is unclean.”
27And it happened the next day, the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to eat, either yesterday or today?”
28So Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem.
29And he said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. And now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me get away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.”
30Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?”
33Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David.
35And so it was, in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad was with him.
36Then he said to his lad, “Now run, find the arrows which I shoot.” As the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37When the lad had come to the place where the arrow was which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried out after the lad and said, “ Is not the arrow beyond you?”
38And Jonathan cried out after the lad, “Make haste, hurry, do not delay!” So Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows and came back to his master.
39But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter.
