1 Samuel 20:6-8

Living Bible

⁶ If your father asks where I am, tell him that I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family reunion. ⁷ If he says, ‘Fine!’ then I’ll know that all is well. But if he is angry, then I’ll know that he is planning to kill me. ⁸ Do this for me as my sworn brother. Or else kill me yourself if I have sinned against your father, but don’t betray me to him!”