If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to go quickly to his hometown, Bethlehem,(A) for an annual sacrifice(B) there involving the whole clan.’ If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he becomes angry, you will know he has evil intentions. Deal kindly with[a] your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the Lord.(C) If I have done anything wrong,(D) then kill me yourself; why take me to your father?”

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Footnotes

  1. 20:8 Or Show loyalty to

If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David earnestly asked my permission(A) to hurry to Bethlehem,(B) his hometown, because an annual(C) sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.’ If he says, ‘Very well,’ then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper,(D) you can be sure that he is determined(E) to harm me. As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant(F) with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill(G) me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

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