<p class="bodytext">Taking an oath, David again<n id="1" /> said, &#8220;Your father is very much aware of the fact<n id="2" /> that I have found favor with you, and he has thought,<n id="3" /> &#8216;Don&#8217;t let Jonathan know about this, or he will be upset.&#8217; But as surely as the <sc>Lordsc> lives and you live, there is about one step between me and death!&#8221;

<p class="bodytext">Now Samuel did not yet know the <sc>Lordsc>; the word of the <sc>Lordsc> had not yet been revealed to him.

(Now the servant did not understand any of this. Only Jonathan and David knew what was going on.)<n id="1" />

You<n id="1" /> should tell him that I am about to judge his house forever because of<n id="2" /> the sin that he knew about. For his sons were cursing God,<n id="3" /> and he did not rebuke them.

Now Ahijah was carrying<n id="1" /> an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phineas, son of Eli, the priest of the <sc>Lordsc> in Shiloh. The army was unaware that Jonathan had left.p>

Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre<n id="1" /> and you will feel better.&#8221;<n id="2" />

One of his attendants replied,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem<n id="2" /> who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior<n id="3" /> and is articulate<n id="4" /> and handsome,<n id="5" /> for the <sc>Lordsc> is with him.&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">Jonathan said, &#8220;Far be it from you to suggest this! If I were at all aware that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn&#8217;t I tell you about it?&#8221;

David replied to Ahimelech the priest, &#8220;The king instructed me to do something, but he said to me, &#8216;Don&#8217;t let anyone know the reason I am sending you or the instructions I have given you.&#8217;<n id="1" /> I have told my soldiers<n id="2" /> to wait at a certain place.<n id="3" />

Was it just today that I began to inquire of God on his behalf? Far be it from me! The king should not accuse<n id="1" /> his servant or any of my father&#8217;s house. For your servant is not aware of all this &#8211; not in whole or in part!&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

He said to him, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.&#8221;

<t /><p class="bodytext">In those days the Philistines gathered their troops<n id="1" /> for war in order to fight Israel. Achish said to David, &#8220;You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle.&#8221;<n id="2" />