Saul’s Fury at the New Moon Feast

24

So David was hid in the field, and the new moon came, and the king sat down to eat bread.

25

And when the king sat down upon his chair, (according to custom) which was beside the wall, Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place appeared empty.

26

And Saul said nothing that day, for he thought it might have happened to him, that he was not clean, nor purified.

27

And when the second day after the new moon was come, David's place appeared empty again. And Saul said to Jonathan, his son: Why cometh not the son of Isai to meat neither yesterday, nor to day?

28

And Jonathan answered Saul: He asked leave of me earnestly to go to Bethlehem.

29

And he said: Let me go, for there is a solemn sacrifice in the city, one of my brethren hath sent for me: and now if I have found favour in thy eyes, I will go quickly, and see my brethren. For this cause he came not to the king's table.

30

Then Saul being angry against Jonathan, said to him: Thou son of a woman that is the ravisher of a man, do I not know that thou lovest the son of Isai to thy own confusion, and to the confusion of thy shameless mother?

31

For as long as the son of Isai liveth upon earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Therefore now presently send, and fetch him to me: for he is the son of death.

32

And Jonathan answering Saul, his father, said: Why shall he die? What hath he done?

33

And Saul caught up a spear to strike him. And Jonathan understood that it was determined by his father to kill David.

34

So Jonathan rose from the table in great anger, and did not eat bread on the second day after the new moon. For he was grieved for David, because his father had put him to confusion.

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