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David escaped from Ramah, and
went again to Jonathan, and told him all his trouble. David said,
"I know thy father Saul is seeking to kill me. He does not tell
thee this, because he knows how it would vex thee; but I am quite sure
that there is but a step between me and death." Then Jonathan
was very sorry, and he said, "Tell me, what can I do to save
thee?" David answered, "Tomorrow Saul has a great feast,
and he thinks I shall be there; let me hide myself instead of going to the
feast. My father has a great sacrifice for his family at Bethlehem,
and I wish to be there. If Saul inquires for me, tell him, I asked
to go to my father's sacrifice at Bethlehem, and see if he is very angry
or not." Jonathan said, "Let us go out now into the field,
and we will think what we must do." So
they both went out, and walked in the field, and then Jonathan said,
"To-morrow I will talk to my father, and if I see that he is kind and
friendly, I will send and tell thee; or if he is angry, then too I will
tell thee, and send thee away safely. But if we part, and never see
one another again, do not forget me; love me, and think about me while I
live; and after I am dead, remember me, and be kind to my children and
family, and do not forget my love to thee." Then David promised
never to forget Jonathan; and to love his children, and be kind to them
after Jonathan's death. But David and Jonathan could not stay long
to talk; David must hide himself very quickly; and so Jonathan said,
"Go now; and, after three days, come again to the place where thou
didst hide before. Then I will come, and bring a lad with me; and I
will shoot arrows, and tell the lad to go and bring them to me. If I
tell the lad that the arrow is near to him, know that all is safe; but if
I tell him that the arrows are far off beyond him, then know that there is
danger, and make haste, and escape." David understood this; and
then he went away, and Jonathan came home. Next
day was Saul's feast. David was not there; Saul looked for him, but
he could not see him; and he wondered where he was, but said
nothing. Next day again, David was not at the feast, and Saul asked,
"Where is David? He was not at the feast yesterday, and I do
not see him here to-day; why does he not come?" Jonathan said,
"He asked me to let him go home to a sacrifice at Bethlehem, because
his father wanted him to be there." Then Saul was angry, and he
said, "David shall die: send, and bring him here, for he shall
surely die!" But Jonathan answered, "Why must David
die?" He has done no wrong." Then Saul grew still
more angry, and he threw a spear at Jonathan, to kill him, because he
loved David. But Jonathan arose quickly, and went away from the
table. He could not stay at the feast, because he was afraid of his
father, and unhappy about his dear friend. The
third day, Jonathan went again into the field to meet David, and he took a
little boy with him. Jonathan had his bow and arrows; and he shot an
arrow a long way off, and said to the boy, "Run, and bring me the
arrow, there it is beyond thee." Why did Jonathan shoot the
arrow beyond the boy? Because Jonathan wanted David to understand
that there was danger, and that he must escape directly. David was
hidden in the field, and heard what Jonathan said. The boy brought
the arrow to his master, and then Jonathan sent him home. The boy
knew nothing about David. When he was gone, David arose and came to
Jonathan. He knew that he must go now, and part from his dear
friend; and that perhaps they would never meet again. David and
Jonathan embraced and kissed one another, and wept. And then
Jonathan said, "Go in peace; God will be with us; He will be our
friend. Do not forget me, nor my children after me; and I will never
forget thee." So David went away, and Jonathan returned home. This
was a sad parting. It is always sad to lose our dear friends.
But if friends love God, then they know that He is with them, and that He
will take care of them, and bring them all safely to their home in
Heaven. There dear friends will meet in joy, and never part again.
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