1 Samuel 20:9-22

Jonathan said, “Far be it from [happening to] you! In fact, if I indeed learn that my father has decided to harm you, would I not tell you about it?” Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field [to talk].” So they went out to the field. Then Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, is my witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he has a good feeling toward you, shall I not then send word to you and make it known to you? But if it pleases my father to do you harm, may the LORD do so to Jonathan, and more if I do not let you know about it and send you away, so that you may go in safety. And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father. If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness and faithfulness of the LORD, so that I will not die? You shall never cut off your lovingkindness and faithfulness from my house, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David. [He added,] “May the LORD require it at the hands of David’s enemies. [that is, hold them accountable for any harm they inflict on David].” Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, for Jonathan loved him as himself. Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon [festival], and you will be missed because your seat will be empty. When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day [when my father tried to kill you], and shall stay by the stone Ezel. I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a target. And I will send a boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come [back to my father’s table]; for it is safe for you and there is no danger, as the LORD lives. But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away.