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that the reason why his father did not tell him of these things；
was this； that he knew of the friendship and affection that he
bore towards him。
7。 Hereupon； when Jonathan found that this intention of Saul was
so well attested； he asked him what he would have him do for him。
To which David replied； 〃I am sensible that thou art willing to
gratify me in every thing； and procure me what I desire。 Now
tomorrow is the new moon； and I was accustomed to sit down then
with the king at supper： now； if it seem good to thee； I will go
out of the city； and conceal myself privately there； and if Saul
inquire why I am absent； tell him that I am gone to my own city
Bethlehem； to keep a festival with my own tribe； and add this
also； that thou gavest me leave so to do。 And if he say； as is
usually said in the case of friends that are gone abroad； It is
well that he went； then assure thyself that no latent mischief or
enmity may be feared at his hand； but if he answer otherwise；
that will be a sure sign that he hath some designs against me；
Accordingly thou shalt inform me of thy father's inclinations；
and that out of pity to my case and out of thy friendship for me；
as instances of which friendship thou hast vouchsafed to accept
of the assurances of my love to thee； and to give the like
assurances to me； that is； those of a master to his servant； but
if thou discoverest any wickedness in me； do thou prevent thy
father； and kill me thyself。〃
8。 But Jonathan heard these last words with indignation； and
promised to do what he desired of him； and to inform him if his
father's answers implied any thing of a melancholy nature； and
any enmity against him。 And that he might the more firmly depend
upon him； he took him out into the open field； into the pure air；
and sware that he would neglect nothing that might tend to the
preservation of David； and he said； 〃I appeal to that God； who；
as thou seest； is diffused every where； and knoweth this
intention of mine； before I explain it in words； as the witness
of this my covenant with thee； that I will not leave off to make
frequent trims of the purpose of my father till I learn whether
there be any lurking distemper in the most secret parts of his
soul； and when I have learnt it； I will not conceal it from thee；
but will discover it to thee； whether he be gently or peevishly
disposed； for this God himself knows； that I pray he may always
be with thee； for he is with thee now； and will not forsake thee；
and will make thee superior to thine enemies； whether my father
be one of them； or whether I myself be such。 Do thou only
remember what we now do； and if it fall out that I die； preserve
my children alive； and requite what kindness thou hast now
received to them。〃 When he had thus sworn； he dismissed David；
bidding him go to a certain place of that plain wherein he used
to perform his exercises； for that； as soon as he knew the mind
of his father； he would come thither to him； with one servant
only； 〃and if；〃 says he； 〃I shoot three darts at the mark； and
then bid my servant to carry these three darts away； for they are
before him； know thou that there is no mischief to be feared from
my father； but if thou hearest me say the contrary； expect the
contrary from the king。 However； thou shalt gain security by my
means； and shalt by no means suffer any harm； but see thou dost
not forget what I have desired of thee in the time of thy
prosperity； and be serviceable to my children。〃 Now David； when
he had received these assurances from Jonathan； went his way to
the place appointed。
9。 But on the next day； which was the new moon； the king； when he
had purified himself； as the custom was； came to supper； and when
there sat by him his son Jonathan on his right hand； and Abner；
the captain of his host； on the other hand； he saw David's seat
was empty； but said nothing； supposing that he had not purified
himself since he had accompanied with his wife； and so could not
be present； but when he saw that he was not there the second day
of the month neither； he inquired of his son Jonathan why the son
of Jesse did not come to the supper and the feast； neither the
day before nor that day。 So Jonathan said； That he was gone；
according to the agreement between them； to his own city； where
his tribe kept a festival； and that by his permission： that he
also invited him to come to their sacrifice； 〃and；〃 says
Jonathan； 〃if thou wilt give me leave； I Will go thither； for
thou knowest the good…will that I bear him。〃 And then it was that
Jonathan understood his father's hatred to David； and plainly saw
his entire disposition； for Saul could not restrain his anger；
but reproached Jonathan； and called him the son of a runagate；
and an enemy； and said he was a partner with David； and his
assistant； and that by his behavior he showed he had no regard to
himself； or to his mother； and would not be persuaded of this； …
that while David is alive； their kingdom was not secure to them；
yet did he bid him send for him； that he might be punished。 And
when Jonathan said； in answer； 〃What hath he done that thou wilt
punish him？〃 Saul no longer contented himself to express his
anger in bare words； but snatched up his spear； and leaped upon
him； and was desirous to kill him。 He did not indeed do what he
intended； because he was hindered by his friends； but it appeared
plainly to his son that he hated David； and greatly desired to
despatch him； insomuch that he had almost slain his son with his
own hands on his account。
10。 And then it was that the king's son rose hastily from supper；
and being unable to admit any thing into his mouth for grief； he
wept all night； both because he had himself been near
destruction； and because the death of David was determined： but
as soon as it was day； he went out into the plain that was before
the city； as going to perform his exercises； but in reality to
inform his friend what disposition his father was in towards him；
as he had agreed with him to do； and when Jonathan had done what
had been thus agreed； he dismissed his servant that followed him；
to return to the city； but he himself went into the desert； and
came into his presence； and communed with him。 So David appeared
and fell at Jonathan's feet； and bowed down to him； and called
him the preserver of his soul； but he lifted him up from the
earth； and they mutually embraced one another； and made a long
greeting； and that not without tears。 They also lamented their
age； and that familiarity which envy would deprive them of； and
that separation which must now be expected； which seemed to them
no better than death itself。 So recollecting themselves at length
from their lamentation； and exhorting one another to be mindful
of the oaths they had sworn to each other； they parted asunder。
CHAPTER 12。
How David Fled To Ahimelech And Afterwards To The Kings Of The
Philistines And Of The Moabites； And How Saul Slew Ahimelech And
His Family；
1。 But David fled from the king； and that death he was in danger
of by him； and came to the city Nob； to Ahimelech the priest；
who； when he saw him coming all alone； and neither a friend nor a
servant with h